You are the registered nurse supervisor in a skilled nursing facility. Most of the direct patient care is provided by licensed vocational nurses (LVNs)/licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and nurse’s aides. It is an extremely busy day, and there is a great deal of work to be done. Several times today, you have found one of the LVNs/LPNs taking long breaks in the lounge or chatting socially at the front desk despite the unmet needs of many patients. On those occasions, you have clearly delegated work tasks and timelines to her. Several hours later, you follow up on the delegated tasks and find that they were not completed. When you seek out the LVN/LPN, you find that she went to lunch without telling you or the aide. You are furious at her apparent disregard for your authority.
DQ: What are possible causes of the LVN/LPN’s failure to follow up on delegated tasks? How will you deal with this LVN/LPN? What goal serves as the basis for your actions? Justify your choice with rationale.