A community nurse has a full caseload and cannot see all patients. What should she do?

• A. Increase staff by hiring temporary workers.
• B. Leave patients on hold.
• C. Punch in more hours.
• D. Create a plan.

Answer: (D)

When resources are stretched, the essential move is to organize care through thoughtful planning that prioritizes what’s most urgent and maps out how to address everything else. Creating a plan lets the nurse quickly assess who needs immediate attention, who can be scheduled for later, and who might benefit from delegation or collaboration with other team members. It also sets clear timelines, identifies gaps, and outlines follow-up steps, so patient safety and care quality aren’t sacrificed despite the workload. This approach is stronger than simply chasing more time or adding staff, which may not be immediately feasible, or leaving patients waiting, which can compromise safety. By planning, the nurse aligns actions with patient risk, available resources, and appropriate scopes of practice, ensuring the most critical needs are met first and the rest are addressed in a structured, feasible way.