[Sharon]

Share an example in your experience where a lack of communication and understanding of roles negatively affected the relationships among team members or alternately where good communication and understanding of roles positively affected relationships among team members.

[Alexandra]

A negative experience I have had when the lack of communication and understanding of the roles have affected the relationships among team members is when our office had a supervisor that would overstep when we were trying to complete our daily tasks she would insist we go through her for everything we were not able to be independently working and making decisions due to her lack of trust within our nursing team. It lead to a lot of frustration and animosity with the nursing staff due to our inability to problem solve or make nursing related decisions about patient care. The staff that was in that role had a background as a Physician Assistant and would give mixed communication and one moment tell us we can sort it out ourselves but then the next time something similar would happen we would have to consult her and ultimately her decision was the final say.

[Sadie]

Hi Alexandra,

I can see how that would be frustrating. What stood out to me was not just the lack of trust, but the inconsistency in expectations. It is difficult to work effectively when you are encouraged to make decisions independently in one situation, but then expected to seek approval for a similar situation the next time.

Reading your example made me think about the difference between collaboration and consultation. Consultation is something that nurses seek when they need advice or direction regarding a specific question or situation. From your description, it sounds like consultation was being imposed rather than requested, which can feel more like micromanagement than support. At the same time, true collaboration relies on trust, clear communication, and respect for each team member’s role and expertise. When those elements are missing, it can quickly create frustration and tension within a team.

Your example shows how important role clarity and communication are, not only for patient care but also for healthy working relationships.

[Marion Catherine]

Share an example in your experience where a lack of communication and understanding of roles negatively affected the relationships among team members .
I have to take accountability for my lack of communication and question asking when newly assigned to a unit. I ought to have asked the PSW’s how they would prefer I :
1. communicate with them about the care needs that the RPN is to complete. 2: When would the best time for them to assist with this care?
By not asking these questions, the PSWs resisted supporting the care needs that I as the RPN was required to complete. Having discussed this matter with fellow RPN’s on how they managed, I was quick to learn the lack of communication that was prevalent. In attempting to rectify my approach, some positive response was shown. However, there was a situation that came up and was not previously discussed with the PSWs and consequently there was no support provided from them. Patient care, morale all suffered and regrettably never recovered.

[Author]

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