Correct Answer: Option 2
Analysis of the Staffing Decision
The charge nurse's decision to pair an experienced RN with a new graduate RN represents the most appropriate use of nursing resources because it directly addresses a critical factor identified in workforce research: the match between care demand and supply. This decision is not merely about filling a slot on a schedule; it is a strategic approach to skill mix and clinical supervision that safeguards patient safety while fostering professional development.
The provided evidence emphasizes that the relationship between staffing and outcomes is not a simple matter of numbers. A realist review on nurse staffing models explains that outcomes are influenced by the interplay of
work environment,
patient needs, and
nurses' characteristics [1]. A new graduate RN possesses theoretical knowledge but lacks the experiential clinical judgment to safely manage complex, unstable patients independently. By pairing them with an experienced RN, the charge nurse creates a
work environment that directly supports the
nurse's characteristic (novice skill level) to meet the
patient needs (complexity). This mentorship model is a practical application of the principle that the "match between care demand and supply" is what ultimately drives patient and nurse outcomes
[1].
Why the Other Options are Incorrect
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Option 1: Assigning a newly graduated RN to care for
6 stable post-operative patients without support is unsafe. While the patients are described as "stable," a new graduate lacks the developed clinical judgment to recognize subtle signs of deterioration. This assignment creates a mismatch where the nurse's characteristic (novice) does not align with the demand of independently managing a full patient load, potentially compromising patient safety
[1].
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Option 3: Having one RN cover two units simultaneously during a staff shortage is a dangerous dilution of nursing resources. This decision fails to account for the basic
work environment reality that a nurse cannot be physically present to assess, intervene, and evaluate care for patients in two separate locations. This creates an impossible demand-supply mismatch, severely jeopardizing the quality and safety of care
[1].
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Option 4: Assigning all high-acuity patients to the most experienced nurse while giving stable patients to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) represents a fundamental misunderstanding of nursing delegation and scope of practice. A rapid realist synthesis on workforce development highlights the importance of clear role integration and understanding what works in specific contexts . UAPs can perform delegated tasks for stable patients, but the RN retains full responsibility for the nursing process—assessment, care planning, and evaluation—for every patient. This assignment abandons the nursing process for the "stable" patients, as UAPs are not licensed to perform it, creating a legal and safety risk. A more appropriate model, supported by the principles of team integration , would involve the experienced RN supervising the UAP and retaining accountability for all patients, while the new graduate could manage a smaller, less complex assignment under mentorship.
References (research sources)
- [1]
Nurse staffing models that rely on employment of temporary nurses: A realist review.Research articleWolbers I, van Oostveen C, Stalpers D, Cummings GG, Tate K, Schoonhoven L, Lalleman P, ResoNANCE consortium. (2026) · DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnsa.2026.100537