Choosing Strategies
To communicate the problem, the nurses initially chose to inform their team leader in person,
simply stating, "We believe we have a professional practice problem and we'd like to talk with
you about it. We have done some analysis and we think you might be able to help us identify the
next steps we should take in the process of resolving the situation."
Since they were simply following up on this introductory conversation, they decided to write a memo that stated:
CONFIDENTIAL
To: Donald Black, RN, Team Leader Program "X"
From: Jane Doe, RN
Date: Day/Month/Year
Subject: Professional Practice Problem
This memo is a follow up to our discussion today about the professional practice problem related to inadequate staff...
They kept a copy of the memo on file (hard copy and electronic).
In this case, the registered nurses heard back from their team leader who invited them to a meeting to discuss the situation in more depth.
Review the memo, letter and e-mail communications strategies with a colleague. Discuss the benefits of each and under what circumstances you would use each.
Refer to your own professional practice problem and select the most appropriate strategy to communicate this problem to your leader.
You might want to refer to the "Sample Memo Tool."