Describe a situation where you had to deal with a difficult team member. How did you handle it?

I once had a difficult team member on a project I was working on as a nurse practitioner. This person was constantly late, unresponsive to emails, and had a negative attitude that affected the team's morale. To handle this situation, I first tried to address the issue privately by having an open conversation with the team member, expressing my concerns and discussing how their behavior was impacting the team. However, the situation did not improve, so I decided to involve our supervisor. I provided them with documentation of the team member's behavior and how it was affecting our ability to work effectively. Together, we developed a plan to address the issue and set clear expectations for the team member moving forward. Ultimately, this resulted in improved communication and collaboration within the team.

As a nurse practitioner, I encountered a challenging team member during a surgical patient care project. The team member consistently arrived late and displayed a negative attitude, which hindered our ability to work collaboratively. To address this, I initiated a private discussion with the team member to express my concerns and understand their perspective. We discussed the impact of their behavior on the team's morale and patient care. However, despite our conversation, the issue persisted. Recognizing that this required further intervention, I approached our supervisor and presented a comprehensive report documenting the team member's behavior and its consequences. Together with the supervisor, we developed an action plan that included setting clear expectations and offering support to the team member. This proactive approach resulted in improved communication, enhanced team dynamics, and a positive impact on patient care.

The solid answer provides more specific details about the candidate's actions in handling the difficult team member. It demonstrates the evaluation areas of excellent communication, ability to work well in a team-oriented environment, and critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. However, it could benefit from providing more specific examples of how the candidate utilized these skills in dealing with the situation.

During a surgical patient care project, I encountered a challenging team member who consistently arrived late, displayed a negative attitude, and failed to complete assigned tasks. Recognizing the detrimental impact on patient care, I took a proactive approach to address the situation. Firstly, I scheduled a private meeting with the team member to discuss their behavior, actively listening to their concerns and frustrations. By empathizing with their perspective, I was able to build trust and open the lines of communication. However, since the behavior did not improve, I escalated the issue to our team leader. Drawing on my critical thinking skills, I presented a detailed report outlining the specific incidents and their effects on patient outcomes. Together, we developed an action plan that involved the team leader providing mentorship and support to the team member. Additionally, I facilitated team-building activities and assigned clear roles and responsibilities to improve collaboration. These efforts resulted in a significant turnaround, with the team member showing increased accountability, improved attendance, and a more positive attitude. As a result, patient care improved, and team morale soared.

The exceptional answer goes beyond the solid answer by providing more specific details about the candidate's actions and strategies. It demonstrates exceptional communication skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities, as well as the ability to work well in a team-oriented environment. The candidate showcases their ability to actively listen, empathize, and escalate the issue appropriately. They also highlight the positive impact of their interventions on patient care and team morale.