Case Study: Kim worked the night shift on the Labor and Delivery unit. Monica was admitted to the unit at 2:00 am. in early labor for her second child. Dr. White ordered Pitocin to augment the labor. Kim began teaching Monica about Pitocin, and Monica wasn't sure she wanted any drugs to assist with labor or pain. Kim decided to hold off on the ordered Pitocin and monitor Monica's progress.
Dr. White made rounds at 5:00 am. and was very upset that Monica did not receive the ordered Pitocin. He yelled at Kim in the nurses' station, kicked the chair, and stormed out of the station. This scene was witnessed by other nurses. Kim was very upset, so she convinced Monica to accept the ordered Pitocin even though her labor was actively progressing. As a result, Monica ended up having a C-section due to a non-reassuring fetal heart-rate pattern.
Kim returns the next night and finds out that Monica had a C-section. She goes to her unit manager and explains how she was treated by Dr. White, stating, "I should file a harassment or workplace violence complaint against him". Kim also says to the manager, "I am not going to take the fall for his behavior if Monica decides to take any type of legal action!"
All of the nurses on the unit are beginning to take sides, and as a manager, you need to respond to the situation.
1. Describe the primary problems in this case study that should be addressed by the unit manager.
2. Describe three achievable outcomes (goals) for this problem
3. Develop a plan of action that would enable you to meet these goals.
4. Be clear about what is expected from each person or group of staff.
5. Describe the leadership roles and management functions in your plan of action. Some actions may include both.
6. Explain the theory of leadership that most closely aligns with your action plan. (More than one theory may be used)
7. How would you evaluate the effectiveness of your plan?