Discuss in your groups the times you worked with both effective and ineffective managers. Talk about how it affected the shift, provide two explanations for why, and suggest alternative management techniques.

Objectives

1.  Students will discuss management styles

2. Consider how management styles can affect/enhance a team’s productivity.

3. Explore the characteristics of an effective ward manager.

4. Engage in peer discussions and self-reflection.

5. Take a quiz to determine your leadership style.

As the nurse in charge of the ward on Monday morning, you will be responsible for the care of your own team of patients, in addition to the general management of the ward. On your team, you also have another staff nurse and 2 HCAs. A ward round is in progress and one of your patients is due to go to endoscopy at 0930. You have an important meeting to attend at 1000 and have to organise 3 discharges for this afternoon. You have 3 patients who still require a bed bath and are unable to do so themselves. Suddenly, at 0900, the emergency buzzer sounds- one of your patients has arrested.

1. What would be your first priority?

2. What responsibilities or tasks could you safely give to others to complete?

3. Would you still attend the meeting?

4. What do you need to catch up with the rest of the staff after the emergency?

You are a qualified nurse responsible for the ward during the late shift. You currently have the full number of staff members needed for this shift, but an HCA has just called in sick for the shift tomorrow morning. You know it will be busy as you have a complete theatre list.

 1. In an attempt to replace the HCA, what alternatives would you look into?

 2. What are the potential consequences of a) not having enough staff to cover a shift and b) using bank or agency staff instead?

3. What would you do if you were unable to replace the HCA by the end of your shift?