The nurse manager suspects the nursing staff is experiencing burnout b

The nurse manager suspects the nursing staff is experiencing burnout because of complaints and an increase in absenteeism. The nurses also appear tired and anxious. What can the manager do to help reduce this burnout?

1. Ask the physician staff to take over some of the tasks they routinely ask the nurses to do.
2. Make certain that the nurses are well prepared for their responsibilities.
3. Assign each nurse to spend 30 minutes with the hospital psychologist daily.
4. Ask administration to require 30 minutes of exercise at the end of each shift.

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Asking physicians to assume nursing tasks is not appropriate.
Rationale 2: In this situation, the best alternative is to be certain that the nurses are well prepared for the responsibilities of their jobs, as the frustration of being unprepared leads to burnout.
Rationale 3: Counseling cannot be made a requirement for the staff.
Rationale 4: Exercise cannot be made a requirement by the organization’s administration.