Progressive discipline in nursing. Arbitrators' decisions.

Nursing administrators occasionally must appear before an arbitrator during a hearing to present evidence about the disciplining or discharge of a nursing staff member. Labor arbitrators will examine the record for evidence of appropriate discipline, including progressive discipline, which gradually increases the severity of penalties. This gives the employee adequate warning about improper behavior and an opportunity to respond. The author describes progressive discipline, identifies its elements, and shows cases in which arbitrators have either upheld or overturned hospitals' disciplinary measures. Nursing administrators will discover guidelines for progressive discipline that will help them in either avoiding a demand for arbitration or convincing the arbitrator that disciplinary measures were appropriate.