A charge nurse recognizes a trend of poor attendance at monthly staff meetings. To address this issue, which of the following actions should the charge nurse take first?

The correct first action is to explore the reasons staff are not attending meetings. This approach allows for identifying underlying issues causing poor attendance, such as scheduling conflicts or lack of perceived value. This step is crucial in developing targeted solutions and addressing root causes effectively. Writing a memorandum (A) might not address the underlying reasons for non-attendance. Appointing a task force (B) could be premature without understanding the issues. Reducing meetings (D) may not solve the problem if the core reasons for non-attendance are not addressed.