ESSENTIALS OF NURSING LEADERSHIP &
MANAGEMENT
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SALLY WEISS
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem: A newly licensed RN observes that an experienced staff
nurse frequently documents assessments before completing
them, because “charting is easier that way.” As charge nurse,
you must decide how to address this. Which action best reflects
professional responsibility and preserves public trust?
A. Observe silently — the experienced nurse is unlikely to
change.
B. Immediately report the nurse to administration without
discussion.
C. Privately discuss the concern with the nurse, request
clarification, and, if needed, escalate through policy.
D. Document that you noticed nothing and continue staffing as
usual.
Correct answer: C
Rationale — Correct: Privately addressing the issue first
respects collegiality while upholding standards and patient
safety; escalating via policy if unresolved preserves professional
,accountability and public trust. Professional self-regulation
involves peer correction followed by formal action when
necessary.
Rationale — A: Silent observation allows unsafe practice to
continue and violates professional accountability.
Rationale — B: Immediate reporting without attempt at
collegial discussion may damage trust and misses an
opportunity for remediation.
Rationale — D: Ignoring the issue fails to protect patients and
undermines professional standards.
Teaching point: Address unsafe practice with private feedback,
then follow institutional policy if unresolved.
Citation: Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem: A nurse manager is drafting orientation materials and
wonders whether to require new hires to join the national
nursing association. Which statement best aligns with the
characteristic of a profession regarding professional
organizations?
A. Mandatory membership is required for licensure.
B. Membership supports self-regulation, professional standards,
and continuing competence.
C. Professional organizations are primarily social and do not
,influence practice.
D. Membership guarantees higher pay and legal protection.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct: Professional organizations promote
standards, advocacy, continuing education, and self-
regulation—key characteristics of a profession. They support
competence and public trust.
Rationale — A: Licensure is legal and regulatory; membership is
voluntary and not mandated for licensure.
Rationale — C: Minimizes the core role organizations play in
setting standards and policy.
Rationale — D: Membership may provide resources but does
not guarantee pay or legal protection.
Teaching point: Professional organizations promote standards,
advocacy, and lifelong competence.
Citation: Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem: During a policy meeting, a nurse suggests allowing unit-
based shortcuts to speed care because staffing is tight. As a unit
leader, which response best upholds professional standards?
A. Approve shortcuts to maintain throughput.
B. Develop a unit-level plan to review evidence, report risks,
and propose safe alternatives.
, C. Ignore the suggestion because staff will resist change.
D. Encourage shortcuts but document that staff were instructed
to be careful.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct: Systematic review of evidence and formal
risk reporting aligns with professional responsibility to protect
patients and improve systems. It uses professional knowledge
to seek safe solutions.
Rationale — A: Approving unsafe shortcuts compromises
quality and professionalism.
Rationale — C: Ignoring known safety risks violates
accountability.
Rationale — D: Encouraging unsafe practices while superficially
documenting guidance is deceptive and undermines trust.
Teaching point: Use evidence review and formal processes to
address safety, not shortcuts.
Citation: Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem: A staff nurse posts a de-identified clinical image and a
snide caption about a unit process on a public social media
account. Colleagues view and comment. As the nurse’s
preceptor, what is the best first action?
A. Like and share — it's harmless commentary.
MANAGEMENT
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SALLY WEISS
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem: A newly licensed RN observes that an experienced staff
nurse frequently documents assessments before completing
them, because “charting is easier that way.” As charge nurse,
you must decide how to address this. Which action best reflects
professional responsibility and preserves public trust?
A. Observe silently — the experienced nurse is unlikely to
change.
B. Immediately report the nurse to administration without
discussion.
C. Privately discuss the concern with the nurse, request
clarification, and, if needed, escalate through policy.
D. Document that you noticed nothing and continue staffing as
usual.
Correct answer: C
Rationale — Correct: Privately addressing the issue first
respects collegiality while upholding standards and patient
safety; escalating via policy if unresolved preserves professional
,accountability and public trust. Professional self-regulation
involves peer correction followed by formal action when
necessary.
Rationale — A: Silent observation allows unsafe practice to
continue and violates professional accountability.
Rationale — B: Immediate reporting without attempt at
collegial discussion may damage trust and misses an
opportunity for remediation.
Rationale — D: Ignoring the issue fails to protect patients and
undermines professional standards.
Teaching point: Address unsafe practice with private feedback,
then follow institutional policy if unresolved.
Citation: Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem: A nurse manager is drafting orientation materials and
wonders whether to require new hires to join the national
nursing association. Which statement best aligns with the
characteristic of a profession regarding professional
organizations?
A. Mandatory membership is required for licensure.
B. Membership supports self-regulation, professional standards,
and continuing competence.
C. Professional organizations are primarily social and do not
,influence practice.
D. Membership guarantees higher pay and legal protection.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct: Professional organizations promote
standards, advocacy, continuing education, and self-
regulation—key characteristics of a profession. They support
competence and public trust.
Rationale — A: Licensure is legal and regulatory; membership is
voluntary and not mandated for licensure.
Rationale — C: Minimizes the core role organizations play in
setting standards and policy.
Rationale — D: Membership may provide resources but does
not guarantee pay or legal protection.
Teaching point: Professional organizations promote standards,
advocacy, and lifelong competence.
Citation: Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem: During a policy meeting, a nurse suggests allowing unit-
based shortcuts to speed care because staffing is tight. As a unit
leader, which response best upholds professional standards?
A. Approve shortcuts to maintain throughput.
B. Develop a unit-level plan to review evidence, report risks,
and propose safe alternatives.
, C. Ignore the suggestion because staff will resist change.
D. Encourage shortcuts but document that staff were instructed
to be careful.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct: Systematic review of evidence and formal
risk reporting aligns with professional responsibility to protect
patients and improve systems. It uses professional knowledge
to seek safe solutions.
Rationale — A: Approving unsafe shortcuts compromises
quality and professionalism.
Rationale — C: Ignoring known safety risks violates
accountability.
Rationale — D: Encouraging unsafe practices while superficially
documenting guidance is deceptive and undermines trust.
Teaching point: Use evidence review and formal processes to
address safety, not shortcuts.
Citation: Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem: A staff nurse posts a de-identified clinical image and a
snide caption about a unit process on a public social media
account. Colleagues view and comment. As the nurse’s
preceptor, what is the best first action?
A. Like and share — it's harmless commentary.
