Deck 21: Managing Absenteeism, Reducing Turnover, Retaining Staff

Question 1

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

A) A female employee who has worked at the community hospital full-time for 5 months and requests 12 weeks of maternity leave
B) A male employee who has worked two 12-hour shifts for a rural hospital on weekends for 12 months and requests a 12-week leave to care for a newly adopted child
C) A female employee who has worked for a large metropolitan hospital full-time for 1 year and requests 3 months' leave to care for her dying mother
D) A male employee who has worked full-time at a small private clinic with 20 employees for the last 8 years and requests 12 weeks of leave to care for a new foster child

Answer 1

A female employee who has worked for a large metropolitan hospital full-time for 1 year and requests 3 months' leave to care for her dying mother

Question 2

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?

A) Find a replacement to hire.
B) Have human resources interview the nurse who left.
C) Manage personal feelings of defeat.
D) Decrease the impact of the hospital grapevine.

Answer 2

Decrease the impact of the hospital grapevine.

Question 3

A nurse manager has reduced absenteeism by increasing each nurse's job responsibilities. Why is this strategy effective? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Nurses who feel their job is important realize that others depend upon their presence at work.
B) A nurse who is given additional work responsibilities must work harder to prevent termination.
C) Nurses who have greater responsibilities do not stress over minor responsibilities any longer.
D) A nurse with less responsibility is always less motivated.
E) Having greater responsibilities enriches the job experience.

Answer 3

Nurses who feel their job is important realize that others depend upon their presence at work.
Having greater responsibilities enriches the job experience.

Question 4

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?

A) The staff's relationship with the unit manager
B) The environment of the organization
C) Level of compensation
D) The shifts they are working

Question 5

Hospital management is brainstorming ways to reduce absenteeism. Which suggestions from this session deserve further investigation? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) "I think we should define excessive absenteeism by total time lost instead of absence frequency."
B) "Let's offer a salary increase for those with good attendance."
C) "Why not include attendance as part of the employee performance appraisal?"
D) "I don't think we are enforcing the absence policies we have now. That is the logical place to start."
E) "We need to start at the top and be certain all of our management employees maintain good attendance."

Question 6

What is the best strategy the nurse manager can use to help retain nursing staff?

A) Relieve staff of the need to serve on committees in the institution.
B) Hire younger employees.
C) Require that the nurse sign a contract for at least 1 year of service.
D) Closely review applicant's previous job history for length of commitment.

Question 7

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?

A) There will be no raises in the near future.
B) The new nurses' starting salaries will be close to what the current nurses are making.
C) All nurses will receive a merit raise for training new staff.
D) Review of salary structure done while hiring these nurses will result in raises for all current nurses.

Question 8

A nurse manager is completing a critical incident form regarding a nurse who has missed two 12-hour shifts, three 8-hour shifts, was 2-1/2 hours late to one shift, and left 3 hours early from another shift. The manager should document the total time lost as ________ hours.

Question 9

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) Increasing the nurse's salary
B) Facilitating a transfer to another nursing unit
C) Offering the nurse a position on the day shift
D) Rewrite the nurse's job description

Question 10

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) Voluntary absence on multiple Fridays due to child care issues
B) Absence frequency on Fridays
C) Total time lost includes Fridays
D) Involuntarily absent due to family circumstances

Question 11

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? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Sign-on bonuses only attract newly licensed nurses.
B) The bonus schedule adversely impacts the current salary schedule.
C) Current nurses can be discouraged by this program.
D) Sign-on bonuses do not recognize achievement and loyalty.
E) Sign-on bonuses do not attract enough nurses to make it worth the time to set them up and advertise them.

Question 12

The human resources (HR) department is considering motivating employees to maintain good attendance by changing some organizational practices. Which items should HR consider? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Offering a discount on the cost of on-site child care for employees with good attendance records
B) Encouraging managers to involve employees in the decision making on the unit
C) Banning an employee with more than two absences in a pay period from working overtime in the next pay period
D) Working with managers to change the culture of the units on which absences are frequent
E) Entering the names of employees who have no absences in a 3-month period in a drawing for a paid day off

Question 13

The night nurse on the pediatric unit has resigned. The night staff is pleased, because this nurse constantly complained about workload and alienated most staff members. What consequences may result from the loss of this nurse? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Use of agency nurses
B) Opportunity for overtime
C) Increase in enthusiasm
D) A resignation spiral in which more nurses resign
E) Unit performance improves

Question 14

During a 3-month period, a nurse has missed work on six occasions due to unreliable child care. Another nurse has missed 10 days due to a minor foot surgery. How should the manager categorize the reliability of these nurses?

A) The nurse with the voluntary absence is more reliable.
B) The nurse with involuntary absences is more reliable.
C) It depends on other factors such as job performance when present.
D) Both nurses are unreliable due to excessive absences during this time period.

Question 15

A manager is preparing to write a critical incident regarding a nurse who has voluntary absences for several scheduled shifts. What information should the manager determine first?

A) How many hours were missed per pay period?
B) What was the frequency and time period of the absences?
C) What was the reason for these absences?
D) Who did the nurse notify of the impending absences?

Question 16

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? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Appropriate staffing
B) Involvement in organizational decision making
C) Ability to work overtime
D) Being recognized for a job well done
E) Good relationships among staff

Question 17

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?

A) "What have the exit interviews shown as reasons for the resignations?"
B) "Were the reports from nurse managers on resignations completed accurately?"
C) "What are the reasons given in the survey mailed out 6 weeks after resignation?"
D) "Has the human resources staff been making telephone calls to employees when they turn in their resignation?"

Question 18

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? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) "We could convert a specified number of unused sick days to vacation days."
B) "Is there a way we could convert unused sick time to retirement credit?"
C) "I think we should stop putting a limit on how many sick days an employee can accumulate."
D) "We should think up some penalty for using more than a given number of sick days in a year."
E) "I think we should stay with our policy of taking away holiday time if the employee uses a sick day in the same week."

Question 19

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?

A) Low client acuity for the past year
B) The increase in the amount of tuition reimbursement
C) A high turnover rate in nursing staff
D) The cost-of-living raise given

Question 20

An ICU manager is discussing a nurse's frequent absences and tardiness, which the nurse explains results from unreliable child care. The nurse states, "None of the other nurses mind if I am late or have to miss a shift. My kids are important to me. I'd do the same for any of them." This is an example of which situation?

A) Enriched job environment
B) Organizational practices
C) Absence culture
D) Generational differences

Question 21

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? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) The manager has a lack of confidence in personal ability to provide care to pediatric clients.
B) The manager is unable to confront staff regarding absences.
C) The manager is not supervising the work of the unit.
D) The staff is consciously taking advantage of the manager.
E) The manager has a lax attitude toward absenteeism.

Question 22

Which personal characteristics would increase a nurse's potential for voluntary turnover? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) The nurse holds an associate's degree in nursing.
B) The nurse walks to work each day.
C) Through task force meetings, the nurse has become friends with several nurses who work in different organizations in town.
D) The nurse has few personal ties to the city of current employment.
E) The nurse has worked at several job fairs in the area as a hospital representative.

Question 23

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?

A) Ability
B) Motivation
C) Need
D) Supervision

Question 24

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?

A) Have a person from human resources (HR) present when confronting the nurse.
B) Discuss the absenteeism with the nurse and then forget the issue.
C) Discuss the issue of absenteeism and other nurses who have had similar experiences when first hired.
D) Document the absences, review the attendance policy with the nurse, and provide a copy of the policy.

Question 25

A valued longtime nursing employee says to the manager, "I'm so tired of all the politics on this unit. I'm thinking about retiring." What should be the manager's response?

A) "I've just got 3 more years and I can retire. I can't wait."
B) "I know, but I can't do anything to change the situation."
C) "I'd hate to lose you, but have you thought about transferring to a different unit?"
D) "Will you stay if I can get you a raise?"

Question 26

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) Lack of appropriate staffing when the manager is present
B) Recognition of the nurse's performance may be lacking
C) A lack of authentic leadership
D) The manager may have unrealistic attitudes about staff work levels.

Question 27

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) Contact a lawyer.
B) Agree to return 2 days early.
C) Contact the human resources director.
D) Contact nursing administration.

Question 28

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? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Traditionals
B) Baby boomers
C) Generation X
D) Generation Y
E) Nurses in general do not like structure and rigidity in scheduling.

Question 29

A nurse manager strongly believes that nurses should seek advanced educational degrees. The manager encourages this attitude in staff nurses. What are the dangers of this practice? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Nurses who achieve an advanced degree are more mobile.
B) Staff nurses may have a higher degree than the manager.
C) Staff members may need time off to attend school.
D) Staff members may resign to attend school full-time.
E) Salaries are higher for nurses with advanced degrees.

Question 30

The American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) established criteria for a healthy work environment. This includes what criteria?

A) Appropriate staffing
B) Skilled communication
C) Improved salaries
D) True collaboration
E) Personal characteristics

Question 31

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?

A) Change the policy to award personal use days rather than sick days.
B) Place stricter limits on the number of sick days that can be accrued.
C) Limit the amount of sick time an employee can use each year regardless of the amount accrued.
D) Allow employees to trade sick time for money no matter how many hours are accrued.

Question 32

Under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), employees are eligible to take a leave if they what?

A) Substitute personal time for leave time
B) Worked for the employer for at least 12 months
C) Worked at least 1,250 hours during the previous 12 months
D) Have good attendance at work
E) Are at a worksite with 50 or more employees, or are employed within 75 miles from the worksite