ESSENTIALS OF NURSING LEADERSHIP &
MANAGEMENT
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SALLY WEISS
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
A newly hired RN is asked by a friend to sign a petition opposing
a hospital policy change and to post comments on social media
criticizing hospital leadership using identifiable patient care
examples. As the nurse’s preceptor, you must advise the nurse
on professional responsibilities. Which action best reflects
professional behavior?
Options
A. Encourage the nurse to sign the petition and post candid
descriptions to increase public pressure.
B. Advise the nurse to sign the petition but avoid referencing
patients or identifiable care details on social media.
C. Tell the nurse to refuse to sign any petition because public
,dissent undermines the profession.
D. Recommend the nurse decline both the petition and social
media posting to avoid conflict.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): This balances professional advocacy with
confidentiality and professional image. Signing a petition is
a legitimate form of civic and professional participation;
however, referencing identifiable patient care contravenes
confidentiality and harms public trust—central elements of
professionalism. Advising restraint on social media
protects patient safety and the nursing profession’s
standards.
• Incorrect (A): Encouraging disclosure of patient care
details violates confidentiality and legal/ethical
responsibilities, jeopardizing patient safety and the
profession’s social contract.
• Incorrect (C): Blanket refusal to participate in civic or
professional advocacy is overly restrictive and neglects the
professional responsibility to engage in health policy and
systems improvement.
• Incorrect (D): Avoiding all participation prevents legitimate
professional advocacy and fails to model responsible civic
engagement expected of nurses.
,Teaching Point
Advocate responsibly—protect confidentiality while engaging in
professional advocacy.
Citation
Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
A charge nurse notices that a staff RN frequently arrives late
and documents care later than it was given. The charge nurse
must decide how to address this to uphold professional
standards. What is the most appropriate first step?
Options
A. Publicly reprimand the nurse during shift change to
discourage future lateness.
B. Report the nurse immediately to human resources for
disciplinary action.
C. Arrange a private meeting to explore reasons for the lateness
and review professional expectations.
D. Ignore the behavior because the nurse’s clinical outcomes
have been acceptable.
, Correct Answer
C
Rationales
• Correct (C): Addressing concerns privately first respects
professional dignity, allows fact-finding, and supports
accountability and remediation—key professional
characteristics. This approach aligns with mentoring and
maintaining standards before formal discipline, preserving
team trust and patient safety.
• Incorrect (A): Public reprimand undermines professional
respect and may damage team morale; it bypasses due
process and is poor leadership practice.
• Incorrect (B): Immediate HR referral without local
corrective action ignores opportunities for coaching and
may be disproportionate unless patient safety is
imminently at risk.
• Incorrect (D): Ignoring the behavior condones
unprofessional conduct and risks escalation, potentially
harming quality and safety over time.
Teaching Point
Begin corrective action with private, supportive dialogue to
promote accountability and competence.
Citation
Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
MANAGEMENT
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SALLY WEISS
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
A newly hired RN is asked by a friend to sign a petition opposing
a hospital policy change and to post comments on social media
criticizing hospital leadership using identifiable patient care
examples. As the nurse’s preceptor, you must advise the nurse
on professional responsibilities. Which action best reflects
professional behavior?
Options
A. Encourage the nurse to sign the petition and post candid
descriptions to increase public pressure.
B. Advise the nurse to sign the petition but avoid referencing
patients or identifiable care details on social media.
C. Tell the nurse to refuse to sign any petition because public
,dissent undermines the profession.
D. Recommend the nurse decline both the petition and social
media posting to avoid conflict.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): This balances professional advocacy with
confidentiality and professional image. Signing a petition is
a legitimate form of civic and professional participation;
however, referencing identifiable patient care contravenes
confidentiality and harms public trust—central elements of
professionalism. Advising restraint on social media
protects patient safety and the nursing profession’s
standards.
• Incorrect (A): Encouraging disclosure of patient care
details violates confidentiality and legal/ethical
responsibilities, jeopardizing patient safety and the
profession’s social contract.
• Incorrect (C): Blanket refusal to participate in civic or
professional advocacy is overly restrictive and neglects the
professional responsibility to engage in health policy and
systems improvement.
• Incorrect (D): Avoiding all participation prevents legitimate
professional advocacy and fails to model responsible civic
engagement expected of nurses.
,Teaching Point
Advocate responsibly—protect confidentiality while engaging in
professional advocacy.
Citation
Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
A charge nurse notices that a staff RN frequently arrives late
and documents care later than it was given. The charge nurse
must decide how to address this to uphold professional
standards. What is the most appropriate first step?
Options
A. Publicly reprimand the nurse during shift change to
discourage future lateness.
B. Report the nurse immediately to human resources for
disciplinary action.
C. Arrange a private meeting to explore reasons for the lateness
and review professional expectations.
D. Ignore the behavior because the nurse’s clinical outcomes
have been acceptable.
, Correct Answer
C
Rationales
• Correct (C): Addressing concerns privately first respects
professional dignity, allows fact-finding, and supports
accountability and remediation—key professional
characteristics. This approach aligns with mentoring and
maintaining standards before formal discipline, preserving
team trust and patient safety.
• Incorrect (A): Public reprimand undermines professional
respect and may damage team morale; it bypasses due
process and is poor leadership practice.
• Incorrect (B): Immediate HR referral without local
corrective action ignores opportunities for coaching and
may be disproportionate unless patient safety is
imminently at risk.
• Incorrect (D): Ignoring the behavior condones
unprofessional conduct and risks escalation, potentially
harming quality and safety over time.
Teaching Point
Begin corrective action with private, supportive dialogue to
promote accountability and competence.
Citation
Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
