What action should a charge nurse take upon observing a coworker with impaired coordination and drowsiness?

When a charge nurse observes a coworker exhibiting signs of impaired coordination and drowsiness, the most appropriate action is to report the observation to the nursing manager without confronting the coworker directly. This is crucial for several reasons.

First, the safety and well-being of both patients and staff must be prioritized. Impaired coordination and drowsiness may suggest that the coworker is unable to perform their duties safely and effectively, which could jeopardize patient care. By reporting to the nursing manager, the charge nurse ensures that the situation is addressed by someone in a position to evaluate the coworker's fitness for duty and take necessary actions, like arranging for the coworker to get evaluated for potential substance use, fatigue, or other health issues.

Second, confronting the coworker directly could escalate the situation or lead to defensiveness, which may hinder the resolution of the problem. It is important to approach such situations with professionalism and ensure that proper protocols are followed, which includes reporting concerns to management.

Additionally, allowing the coworker to continue their tasks could lead to further errors in patient care or accidents within the workplace, increasing the risk to patients and staff. Documenting the observation, while important for record-keeping, does not address the immediate and pressing concern of the