When nursing staff resist a proposed change in protocol, how should their behavioral pattern be characterized?

When nursing staff resist a proposed change in protocol, their behavioral pattern aligns with the characteristics of laggards. Laggards are individuals or groups who are often skeptical about new ideas or innovations and typically prefer to stick with established practices and protocols. They may feel more comfortable with the status quo and are generally slower to accept change compared to other groups like early adopters or the early majority.

This resistance can stem from various factors, including a lack of trust in the new protocol, concerns about its effectiveness, or discomfort with change. Laggards often wait until they see the successful implementation and acceptance of a new idea before they consider adopting it themselves, if they do at all. They tend to be more influenced by the experiences of others and may require strong evidence or reassurance that a change will provide significant benefits before they are willing to participate.

In contrast, innovators are usually the first to embrace change, and early adopters are more open to new ideas than laggards but still tend to be cautious. The early majority is characterized by a more deliberate acceptance of change, balancing between the innovators and the laggards. Understanding this categorization helps in addressing the concerns and resistance of laggards effectively by providing additional support and information to facilitate their transition