Ask the expert: Taking disciplinary action
Nurse Leader Weekly, December 28, 2009
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This week, Dinah Brothers, RN, JD, discusses the differences between steps of disciplinary actions and provides an example of each.
Q: I am new to the nurse manager’s role and still have trouble distinguishing between the different steps of disciplinary action. Can you identify each step and a necessary instance to use them?
A: The disciplinary process should be implemented in a progressive, step-by-step approach. As inappropriate behavior increases, your disciplinary actions should intensify, ultimately reaching termination if the employee's behavior does not meet established expectations.
Progressive discipline consists of four steps:
1. Oral notice: The first step in disciplinary process. It notifies an employee that he or she is not meeting expectations. Such a notice is appropriate when an employee violates a minor policy or procedure that does not jeopardize patient safety. Note that the oral notice is a disciplinary action, and your behavior should reinforce that.
To read other examples of the disciplinary process, click here.
Editor’s note: Do you have a question for our experts? E-mail your queries to Editorial Assistant Sarah Kearns at skearns@hcpro.com and see your name in print next week! In the meantime, head over to our Web site and view a growing collection of advice from our experts.
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