Question

the licensed practical/vocational nurse is the team leader in a long-term care facility. a topic for discussion at a recent staff meeting was the effect that a scheduled 1 week absence of one of the staff members will have on the staff and how that absence might be managed. one of the staff members thinks a person should be hired to cover the temporary absence. the other six staff members each want to take on an extra resident for that week. they feel that bringing in someone new would not be best for the residents. which statement might be made by a person who is considered a good follower?

\i think the decision is wrong and i really want everyone to reconsider.\
\i certainly dont agree with the decision but i will do my best to carry it out.\
\i dont care. ill go along with whatever everyone else wants to do.\
\this is your decision-not mine. i will not accept being assigned an additional resident.\

Explanation:

Analyze the scenario

The scenario describes a team meeting in a long-term care facility led by a licensed practical/vocational nurse. The team is deciding how to manage a 1-week absence of a staff member. One staff member wants to hire temporary help, while the other six want to distribute the workload by taking on an extra resident. The majority decision is to distribute the workload. We need to identify the statement made by a "good follower" (effective follower) regarding this decision.

Define followership in nursing

In Nursing Management, a good or effective follower is someone who actively participates, expresses their constructive opinions, but ultimately supports the group's consensus or leader's decision to ensure team cohesion and patient safety. They demonstrate Professional Communication by balancing personal disagreement with professional commitment to the team's goals.

Evaluate the options

• Option 1: "I think the decision is wrong and I really want everyone to reconsider." This represents persistent opposition rather than constructive support once a decision has been reached.
• Option 2: "I certainly don't agree with the decision but I will do my best to carry it out." This statement shows that the individual honestly voices their perspective but remains cooperative and committed to the team's final plan. This is a hallmark of an effective follower.
• Option 3: "I don't care. I'll go along with whatever everyone else wants to do." This represents passive behavior rather than active, engaged followership.
• Option 4: "This is your decision—not mine. I will not accept being assigned an additional resident." This is uncooperative and represents a refusal to support the team, which is poor followership.

Select the best statement

Option 2 is the correct choice because it demonstrates the balance of honest communication and professional alignment with the team's final decision.

Answer:

• (A) "I think the decision is wrong and I really want everyone to reconsider."
• (B) "I certainly don't agree with the decision but I will do my best to carry it out." (Correct answer)
• (C) "I don't care. I'll go along with whatever everyone else wants to do."
• (D) "This is your decision—not mine. I will not accept being assigned an additional resident."