An employee receives orders from only one supervisor?

DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Nursing Management

Easy

Appeared in: DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

The principle of 'Unity of Command' dictates that each employee should report to and receive orders from only one superior.
This direct reporting relationship prevents conflicting instructions and confusion regarding tasks and responsibilities.
It ensures clear accountability, as the employee knows exactly who they are answerable to, which is critical in a healthcare setting.
Receiving orders from multiple supervisors can lead to diluted responsibility, tension, and errors in execution.

Option A: Scalar chain refers to the formal line of authority from the top to the bottom of an organization, outlining the path of communication, not the principle of receiving orders from a single boss.
Option B: Span of control refers to the number of subordinates a supervisor can effectively manage. It's about the breadth of a manager's responsibility, not the source of an employee's orders.
Option D: Hierarchy chain describes the different levels of authority within an organization. While related to the scalar chain, it represents the overall structure, not the specific principle of single-source commands.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Principles of Management in Nursing as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
In a hospital, a staff nurse receiving orders from both a charge nurse and a physician simultaneously can lead to conflicting patient care priorities and potential medical errors. Unity of command prevents this by establishing a clear reporting line.
This principle streamlines communication, ensuring that critical patient information and instructions are clear, consistent, and acted upon correctly, which is paramount for patient safety.
What if? If a nurse receives a conflicting order from a consulting physician that contradicts the primary team's plan, the principle of unity of command is temporarily challenged. The nurse's correct action is not to blindly follow one, but to use the scalar chain to escalate the conflict to their immediate supervisor (charge nurse) for clarification and resolution.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept in the question stem. The question asks to name the principle where an employee gets orders from a single supervisor.
Next, review each option and recall its specific definition within management theory.
Evaluate 'Scalar chain' (line of authority), 'Span of control' (number of subordinates), and 'Hierarchy chain' (levels of authority).
Compare these definitions to the scenario. The scenario of receiving orders from 'only one supervisor' directly matches the definition of 'Unity of command'.
Therefore, select 'Unity of command' as the correct principle that describes the situation.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Principles and Practice of NURSING Management Leadership for BSc Nursing 3rd Edi Jogindra Vati — Subpart A (pp 26-339 of 1017) pp. 183-185, 88-90

E6 Principles and Practice of NURSING Management Leadership for BSc Nursing 3rd Edi Jogindra Vati — Subpart B (pp 340-678 of 1017) p. 11-13