Exam 20: Managing Absenteeism, Reducing Turnover, Retaining Staff

The management staff is investigating ways to decrease absenteeism that will also help to promote greater job satisfaction over the long term. Which suggestions should they consider?

The hospital is hiring several new nurses for an expanded OB unit. The manager explains to the current staff that due to a shortage of nurses, salary compression is occurring. How should the current nurses interpret this statement?

When the unit manager is on vacation, the charge nurse fills in the leadership role. While in this role the charge nurse senses a change in the nursing staff's morale. The staff appears happier, more energetic, and productive. The charge nurse believes this change is a direct effect of which variable?

Despite the nurse manager's best efforts to retain an experienced nurse, the nurse leaves for a job in a competing hospital. Which option reflects the most important thing the manager must do now?

Hospital management is brainstorming ways to reduce absenteeism. Which suggestions from this session deserve further investigation?

The nurse executive and the human resources manager of a hospital meet to discuss the recent increase in nursing turnover. Which statement reflects the best source of information about this increase?

An employee has called in to report being unable to come to work due to car trouble. This is the third time this has happened in the last 2 weeks. The manager should question which variable in this employee's attendance?

Which employee is eligible for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?

The director of two nursing units is off on medical leave. The morale on these units has decreased over the past year. During the director's absence the chief nurse officer (CNO) notices a marked increase in the staff's morale. This causes the CNO to be concerned about which factor on these two units?

A nurse manager has recently been transferred from obstetrics to pediatrics. The manager consistently stays in the office, does not relieve staff for lunches, and rarely assists staff when the unit is busy. Lately, the manager has noticed an increase in staff absences. Which options may contribute to the situation on this unit?

The chief nursing officer notes that the nursing department has exceeded budget in salary expenses for the last 3 months and asks the hospital nurse managers why this occurred. Which would be a cause for increased salaries?

An organization has not updated its sick day policy in the last 5 years and has experienced an increase in employee days off for illness over the last year. Which change to the sick leave policy might have a positive effect on the organization's absenteeism?

The nurse manager charged with hiring staff for a new nursing unit explains the unit's rigid structure and scheduling policies to all potential applicants. The manager is most likely to lose the interest of applicants of which generations?

A nurse who is obtaining a bachelor's degree in nursing is formulating a project regarding nurse's job satisfaction. The nurse is aware that research has shown job satisfaction is related to which factors in the working environment?

A nurse manager has reduced absenteeism by increasing each nurse's job responsibilities. Why is this strategy effective?

A hospital is experiencing a high nursing turnover rate. One manager suggests offering sign-on bonuses to fill positions. Why would the nurse executive veto this suggestion?

A nurse is frequently absent on Fridays. The nurse phones and reports as sick, but the manager discovers that the absences are due to child care issues. How should the manager document this on the critical incident form?

A nurse who has been working the evening shift on the hospice unit for 5 years resigns. The nurse says, "I just can't work here anymore. These clients are so sad." What is the best strategy for retaining this nurse?

A nursing unit is extremely short staffed. The manager calls a nurse who is on Family and Medical leave (FMLA) to ask the nurse to return to work 2 days prior to schedule. When the nurse declines, the manager becomes insistent. What should be the nurse's first action?

A newly hired nurse has incurred two absences within two pay periods. The nurse manager has scheduled a meeting with the nurse. What other action should the manager plan in addressing this issue?