Case Study - Mixed Signals ix weeks prior to going on three months vocation leave, the superintendent of Public Health Nurses, Mrs. Sylvia Williams, mentioned to Senior Public Health Nurse Comrie that she was recommending that she be transferred from being in charge of a rural health district to act as Deputy Superintendent, Public Health Nurses (PHNs), Head Office. Both Nurse Comries post and that of Deputy Superintendent, PHNs, are classified as Grade III. She had, in fact, been acting in the grade for over four years and had only been confirmed a few weeks before. Nurse Comrie told Mrs. Williams that she was not really interested in leaving her responsibilities in her district to go to Head Office to carry out purely administrative functions. Furthermore, she felt would be at a disadvantage, having to travel over 20 miles to and from work each day, over some of the worst roads in the parish. She also pointed out that travelling allowance payable would not compensate for the wear and tear on her car, which was getting quite old. Three days before Mrs. Williams went on leave Nurse Comrie received a formal letter from the Senior Medical Officer informing her of the acting arrangements: that Senior Public Health Nurse Gloria Atkinson would be acting as Superintendent, PHNs, and advising her, Nurse Comrie, to report to head office on the first of the month, to act as Deputy Superintendent. On assuming duty at head office, Nurse Comrie went directly to the Acting Superintendent to protest the way in which she was transferred, and the obvious lack of concern showed for her feelings in the matter. The Acting Superintendent told her there was nothing she could do about the problem since she herself was only acting in her position. Nurse Comrie then telephoned Dr. Marjorie Brown, Senior Medical Officer, and requested an appointment with her. The SMO promised to have an early meeting with herself and the Acting Superintendent, at which time she hoped to come up with some solution. Later that week the SMO came to Head Office while Nurse Comrie was busy attending to a crisis situation resulting from several incidences of food poisoning which had been reported in the town. The SMO, who was in a hurry to keep an appointment with the Minister of Health in the city, spoke to Acting SPHN Atkinson about Nurse Comries problem. They both agreed that in view of all circumstances it would be better for Nurse Comrie to return to her position and that Nurse Johnson, a PHN Grade II should be brought to act as PHN Grade III. When Nurse Comrie had finished her duties she went to the Acting Superintendents office where she was greeted with the good news. Nurse, Mrs. Atkinson said cheerfully, youll be pleased to hear that Doctor Brown says you can go back to your district and we will bring Nurse Johnson in as of Monday, 8th . At that point, Nurse Comrie became so angry that she could hardly speak. She stormed out of the office, collected her things, went into her car, and drove away. Major Themes S Leadership Communication Motivation Staff welfare Questions Related to the Case

1. Discuss TWO (2) main causes of the confusion in this case.

2. Summarise your views on the manner in which Nurse Comries transfer to Head Office was done?

3. Analyse whether Nurse Comrie had a legitimate justification for her unwillingness to be transferred?

4. Explain why Nurse Comrie was so angry when the decision to transfer her to Head Office was reversed.

5. Assess the quality of leadership shown by SPHN Williams in her exercise of authority over Mrs. Comrie.

6. With reference to relevant management principles and strategies, discuss how the entire matter might have been dealt with to the satisfaction of all the parties involved.