How Does Mind-Set Affect Perceptions?

You are the vice president for nursing at a large medical center. Recently one of the physicians, who holds a lot of power in the system and is generally very open and easy to work with, expressed considerable displeasure about the refusal of a particular nurse to carry out a medical order and then deciding to refer her concerns about certain physician practice decisions to the ethics committee. The physician says that you should fire the nurse for insubordination. You are aware that the nurse’s decisions were reasonable, in the patient’s interest, and based on sound principles and standards of nursing practice. You are also aware that the physician in question is well known nationally and brings a lot of money to the hospital.

• How would you respond to the physician?

• Where do you see potential for conflicting loyalties in this situation?

• Discuss how differing perceptions of nursing might affect this situation.

• Describe what you see as the most realistic outcome in this situation. What about the ideal outcome?