The nurse-manager has asked an NAP for an update on delegated tasks, and the NAP has said, "I'm swamped right now." What is the manager's best response?

When a nurse aide personnel (NAP) reports feeling overwhelmed, the manager's best response opens communication and creates a psychologically safe environment for the NAP to disclose if the workload is genuinely unmanageable. Saying "Don't be afraid to let me know if you feel the project is overwhelming you" validates the NAP's feelings while explicitly inviting further communication, which is essential for safe delegation. Effective delegation requires follow-up and an open channel for the delegate to report barriers to task completion. Lecturing the NAP about time management is dismissive and does not address the immediate concern; it may also be demoralizing. Offering solutions without first understanding the nature or extent of the problem is premature and may not address the actual issue. Asking "Do you want more time?" is a closed yes/no question that limits the depth of the communication and does not genuinely explore the situation. Effective nurse managers use open, supportive communication to supervise delegated tasks, ensure accountability, and protect both client safety and staff well-being. Encouraging the NAP to speak up aligns with principles of safe supervision and delegation oversight.