“Saying sorry”: Some strategies for effective apology within the workplace

The human potential for error can have serious implications for healthcare stakeholders. Mental health nurses aim to provide quality care through compassionate and collaborative interactions with colleagues and clients. However, as personal and professional challenges arise within imperfect systems, unforeseen events and undesirable actions and outcomes may occur. Reconciling human and system fallibility with professional accountability, and being prepared to apologise for errors and negotiate ways forward, are crucial steps in responding to errors constructively. This column explores the notion of “saying sorry” and considers some strategies for effective apology within the workplace.