What Does it Mean for Nurse Case Managers to Take Appropriate Responsibility? 

Case Management Focus

As professionals, nurse case managers in workers' compensation are essential members of the healthcare team as we bridge the gap between healthcare providers, insurance companies, and injured employees and their families.  

As professionals, nurse case managers are accountable and take responsibility for their actions. However, this does not mean you are responsible for everything that goes on. We cannot fix everything and need to learn how to take 'appropriate responsibility for our actions.'  

In this post, I want to talk about learning how to take appropriate responsibility. 

Own up to the consequences of your behavior. 

Rather than blaming another person or an outside force when there's a mistake or conflict, taking responsibility for your actions means looking for your part in the issue and moving forward from it. Instead of playing the victim or making an excuse, you take ownership of your choices and feelings, whether they're positive or negative. 

In our line of work, slipping up or making a mistake is normal. Taking accountability does not mean never making a mistake. Instead, it means you can realize what you did and how you will learn next time so that the error does not occur again. In healthcare, a 'just culture model' creates a safe, open, and fair work environment where employees and organizations are held accountable for their actions and the systems they design. 

Stay true to your word. 

You must follow through when you promise to do something for a patient. With all the work you have to do, it is a good idea to make a list of everything you need to get done to fulfill what you promised. Making a list can keep you on track and allow you to stay true to your word. Doing this will enable others to trust you with responsibilities. If you can’t fulfill your promise, you need to admit that and do what you can to rectify the situation.  

Take a moment before reacting to adverse situations. 

When you are having difficulty, your first reaction is to shift blame. Slowing down and taking a deep breath in these situations is essential. That way, you have a second to consider what you're accountable for and what was out of your control. We found out that there are many things we 'think' we can do later that the system does not allow us to do what we said we could. This is when we move to Plan B.  

Acknowledge your actions or mistakes. 

When you have made a mistake or did not live up to your promise, focus on focus on what you have done. This helps you realize where things went wrong rather than making excuses. Even if you weren't entirely responsible for what happened, own up and take accountability for the part you played in it. Recognize how your actions affected other people, and apologize. This allows those impacted to feel validated.  

Prioritize self-care and compassion. 

None of us are perfect. So when we make a mistake or forget to do something we said we would do, take a few minutes to figure out where things went wrong. This gives you a moment to relax and see what you can do to rectify your actions. Try to avoid judging yourself and learn from the experience.  

Why is it important to take responsibility? 

When you admit to your mistakes and take responsibility for your actions, you can start making changes for the better. Holding onto your negative feelings and dwelling on your mistakes can make you unproductive. Owning up to what you did,  taking responsibility for your actions, and working on ways to improve can take a significant weight off your shoulders and allow you to move forward positively.  

This article helps you realize that taking appropriate accountability for your actions and making amends when we cannot deliver are things we all need to learn in our lives and careers. If you would like to discuss a situation you encountered, feel free to email me at allewellyn48@gmail.com   

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