STUDIES COURSE – 2026 UPDATE | CHAPTER
SUMMARY AND KEY CONCEPTS CORRECT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A nurse is currently in the "promise" phase of career development. What goal should the nurse
prioritize during this stage?
a. Acting as a role model to recent graduates
b. Gaining exposure to a variety of experiences
c. Avoiding obsolescence
d. Graduating from nursing school - correct answers-ANS: B
Feedback: Promise is the earliest of the career phases and typically reflects the first 10 years
of nursing employment. Milestones to be attained include socialization to the nursing role
(becoming an insider); building knowledge, skills, abilities, credentials, and an education
base; and gaining exposure to a variety of experiences. This stage begins after graduation,
not before. Role modeling becomes more of a priority in the subsequent stages of the
nurse's career. Obsolescence (or the perception of it) becomes an increasing concern during
the harvest stage.
An experienced nurse-manager describes a recently hired nurse as "very promising." The
manager can best promote this nurse's career development by:
a. asking other nurses to model their behavior on the new nurse's behavior.
b. providing the nurse with increasingly challenging work assignments.
c. removing the nurse from client care responsibilities and assigning management tasks.
d. providing the nurse with positive feedback. - correct answers-ANS: B
Feedback: Providing challenging assignments is one way that the nurse's skills and
, knowledge can be enhanced, benefiting career development. Identifying the recent hire as a
role model may place undue stress on the nurse and may create resentment from other
nurses who have more experience. Giving the nurse positive feedback may validate the
nurse's performance but will not necessarily promote career development. Removing the
nurse from client care would be premature at this early stage.
A nurse-manager is arguing for the establishment of a formal career development program in
the health-care facility. What potential benefits should the manager describe? Select all
that apply.
a. Employee attrition can be reduced.
b. Personnel can be used more effectively.
c. Employees can increase earning power.
d. Employment benefits are increased.
e. New skills are brought into the organization. - correct answers-ANS: A, B, E
Feedback: Organizational justification for career development programs includes attrition
reduction, improved productivity, and general improved quality of life. Career development
programs cause a steady influx of new skills into an organization. Although employees may
earn more money and additional benefits as a result of career development, they are not the
reason that organizations undertake career development programs.
A recent graduate's mentor is explaining the importance of career planning. What should the
mentor teach the recent graduate about career planning?
a. It is ultimately the employer's responsibility.
b. It should begin once the nurse has at least 12 months of client care experience.
c. It requires development and implementation of a long-term plan.
d. It functions best when the planning is episodic in nature. - correct answers-ANS: C
Feedback: Effective career planning requires long-term planning; it is the responsibility of
the individual and requires constant attention to function properly. Career planning should