Case Study: Communicating Professionally in a Complex, Collaborative Environment

In this discussion, you will draw upon the readings you have done for this unit about professional communication. To start, review the items titled “How to Be a Good Nurse” and “Nurse-Client Relationship” in in your readings. Then, review the Unit 3 Case Study

Case Study – Communicating Professionally in a Complex, Collaborative Environment

You are the coordinator of a clinic in a health department. Jason is the lead registered nurse (RN) on the day shift and has been for three years. He carries one of the heaviest case loads of any of your nurses and has always received high evaluations from clients. Because this is a small clinic, generally only three RNs are assigned to any one shift. It is now August, and it will soon be time for the student nurses to return to the clinic. They have been using your agency as a clinical practice site for the last year. Six students are assigned at a time to work in the agency, and you generally assign two students per nurse.

Several students have reported bad experiences working with Jason. They say that he openly ignores them in front of clients, and they believe that he destroys any rapport or credibility they might otherwise have with the clients. He rolls his eyes when a student offers suggestions, or he crosses his hands across his chest, giving them the impression that he is not interested in their input. They say he belittles the charting they do, and when their instructor is not present, he tells them to “go back to the simulation lab where you belong.” The nursing instructor does not want to “get involved” and has asked you to intervene with Jason.

Case Considerations

1. What nonverbal behaviors is Jason exhibiting and communicating to the students? To the patients? To a broader community?

1. As the coordinator of the clinic, what methods could you employ to assist Jason with changing his communication? Explain some actions to take with Jason.

1. Will you say anything to the nursing students? How will you respond to the nursing instructor?

1. What are alternative actions to take to ensure the students meet their learning objectives in this experience?

Answer these questions in your initial post to the group discussion board (subscribe to receive emailed updates):

1. What nonverbal behaviors is Jason exhibiting and communicating to the students? To the patients? To a broader community?
2. What methods could the coordinator of the clinic employ to assist Jason with changing his communication? Explain some actions to take with Jason.
3. Should the coordinator say anything to the nursing students? How should the coordinator respond to the nursing instructor?
4. What are alternative actions to take to ensure the students meet their learning objectives in this experience?

Format:

• • Include the question you are answering before your response.
  • Cite your sources using APA formatting.
  • In The subject field, after “RE: Group #”, type “- [your name]” (e.g. RE: Group 1 – John Doe”)
  • Note: to paste text without that annoying formatting, use ctrl+shift+v