Leadership Skills & Staff Supervision Flashcards
7 cards from real ANM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Leadership Skills & Staff Supervision flashcards as text
An ANM notices that two experienced nurses consistently underperform when assigned to the same shift. What is the BEST initial action?
Answer: Conduct individual meetings to explore their perspectives on the working relationship
Individual meetings allow the ANM to gather information and understand interpersonal dynamics before taking corrective action.
Which leadership theory emphasizes adapting one's leadership style based on the readiness level of the follower?
Answer: Situational leadership
Situational leadership, developed by Hersey and Blanchard, matches leadership style to the follower's competence and commitment level.
A newly hired nurse consistently completes tasks correctly but always seeks approval before acting. Which leadership style is MOST appropriate?
Answer: Supporting — encourage decision-making while providing emotional support
A staff member with high competence but low confidence benefits most from a supporting style that builds self-reliance.
During a staff meeting, an ANM receives strong pushback on a new policy from a vocal nurse. The BEST response is to:
Answer: Acknowledge the concern and invite group input on implementation
Acknowledging concerns and inviting input promotes buy-in while keeping the meeting productive and respectful.
An ANM is preparing staff performance appraisals. Which error occurs when a manager rates all employees similarly regardless of actual performance?
Answer: Central tendency error
Central tendency error occurs when evaluators avoid extremes and rate everyone near the midpoint of the scale.
A staff nurse reports feeling overwhelmed and at risk for burnout. As an ANM, which intervention has the HIGHEST priority?
Answer: Conduct a workload assessment and explore contributing factors
Assessing workload and contributing factors identifies root causes and guides appropriate, individualized intervention.
Which communication technique is MOST effective when an ANM needs to give critical feedback to an underperforming staff member?
Answer: Behavior-specific feedback focused on observable actions and impact
Behavior-specific feedback is objective, actionable, and less likely to trigger defensiveness than personal criticism.