Ways Nurse Leaders Can Change Workplace Culture ✓ Solved
WAYS NURSE LEADERS CAN CHANGE WORKPLACE CULTURE
To achieve organizational goals, nurse work environments must support an optimal staff member experience.
The goal of the approach is to improve team member experience and rebuild joy in the workplace. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement treats on the idea that creating joy in the workplace is also an antidote to burnout, which is a major issue among clinicians.
TAKEAWAYS:
- Nurses’ workplace experience is a key component to achieving organizational outcomes.
- Organizational excellence is developed through a holistic approach.
- Nurse job dissatisfaction affects patient mortality.
To test this theory, Oehlert and Hofler, along with their chief quality officer, assessed correlations among data related to employee engagement, complaints and grievances, patient experience, employee turnover data, and various nurse sensitive quality indicators.
A recent meta-analysis from Penn Nursing’s Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research (CHOPR) supports this idea, showing the association between the nurse work environment and various outcomes.
Vidant’s focus on its team members’ experience has been ongoing for about two years. Hofler shares three ways she and the leadership team at Vidant have reshaped the nurse work environment to achieve organizational excellence:
1. Nursing Salons
Vidant has introduced small gatherings known as salons, which serve as platforms for individuals to increase their knowledge and share ideas.
2. Games
Friendly competition among nurses is encouraged through games aimed at enhancing problem-solving skills.
3. Support Breaks
Creating a culture where team members can be resilient and find joy in their work is vital for maintaining a supportive work environment.
Paper For Above Instructions
In healthcare, the leadership of nurses plays a critical role in shaping the culture of the workplace. The well-being and satisfaction of nurses are directly correlated with the quality of patient care. As recent studies illustrate, a positive work environment for nurses can lead to significant improvements in patient outcomes. The University of Pennsylvania's meta-analysis emphasizes this connection, revealing that better work environments are associated with a decrease in adverse patient outcomes, including dissatisfaction and even mortality (Lake et al., 2019).
One crucial aspect of improving workflows and organizational culture is to engage nurses actively in discussions about their work environments. By embracing a holistic approach to workplace excellence, organizations can tap into the collective insights of their nursing teams, leading to sustainable improvements. Vidant Health has exemplified this philosophy in its initiatives aimed at creating supportive conditions for nursing staff. One of the significant steps taken was the establishment of nursing salons, meeting spaces promoting dialogue among nursing peers and providing an environment for shared learning and problem-solving.
Nursing salons, echoing the intellectual gatherings of historical cultures, serve as a promising model for enhancing collaboration and communication within the nursing community. These salons offer a structured yet informal setting for nurses to discuss pertinent topics, share experiences, and vent frustrations. Such platforms can facilitate a reassessment of individual and collective motivations that drew nurses into healthcare professions in the first place (Hofler, 2019). By providing an opportunity for storytelling, the salons help rekindle the passion for patient care that may be overshadowed by the stresses of everyday responsibilities.
Another approach that has shown positive outcomes is the integration of gamification within training and team engagement activities. The introduction of games encourages friendly competition and collaboration among nurses, providing a break from their routine tasks. This method not only promotes engagement but also enhances team-building. For example, Vidant’s leadership team devised a contest where teams were tasked to come up with innovative ways to engage their employees using a modest budget. This hands-on approach can foster creativity and enthusiasm regarding their work environment (Thew, 2019).
Furthermore, supporting nurses during their shifts with adequate break systems is another critical component of employee satisfaction. With the intense pressures faced in active healthcare settings like emergency departments, it can be challenging for staff to take breaks, which are essential for mental rejuvenation. Vidant's initiative to create an inviting breakroom environment equipped with relaxation facilities indicates a commitment to enforcing the importance of periodical downtime for the staff. Such modifications in the work environment recognize the human need for rest and recovery, allowing nurses to recharge and return to their duties with renewed energy (Thew, 2019).
Additionally, regular assessments of employees’ experiences and feedback on workplace conditions are equally important in shaping a supportive environment. Organizations must prioritize open channels of communication for nurses to express their concerns, share ideas, and contribute to enhancing workplace culture. By doing so, healthcare leaders can not only address immediate issues affecting the nursing staff but also foster a culture of continuous improvement and development (Lake et al., 2019).
Moreover, the incorporation of evidence-based practices in improving nurse working environments leads to quantifiable benefits, underlining the importance of organizational excellence. As evidenced by studies conducted by nursing researchers, enhanced work environments converge on accelerated rates of job satisfaction, decreased turnover rates, and improved safety standards within healthcare facilities (Perlo et al., 2017). Such consistent, data-driven evaluations allow organizations to identify successful intervention practices, further assisting nursing leaders in shaping impactful workplace policies.
In conclusion, enhancing workplace culture is vital for achieving organizational success within healthcare settings. It necessitates active leadership focused on embellishing the experiences of nurses, employing innovative strategies such as salons and games, and ensuring physical and emotional support through dedicated break periods. The sustainable incorporation of these practices can lead to improved workplace satisfaction, positively influencing patient care and outcomes. Ultimately, nursing leaders must advocate for an organizational philosophy that truly values the experiences of its staff, transforming workplace dynamics for the betterment of all (Hofler, 2019; Lake et al., 2019).
References
- Lake, E. T., Sanders, J., Duan, R., Riman, K. A., Schoenauer, K. M., & Chen, Y. (2019). A meta-analysis of the associations between the nurse work environment in hospitals and four sets of outcomes. Medical Care, 57(5), 353–361.
- Perlo, J., Balik, B., Swensen, S., Kabcenell, A., Landsman, J., & Feeley, D. (2017). IHI Framework for Improving Joy in Work. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Institute for Healthcare Improvement.
- Thew, J. (2019). Ways Nurse Leaders Can Change Workplace Culture. HealthLeaders Media.
- Lake, E. T., et al. (2019). Nurse work environment and outcomes. Nursing Outlook. 67(5), 556-565.
- Institute for Healthcare Improvement. (2017). Framework for Improving Joy in Work.
- Cho, J., & Lee, N. (2016). Impact of nurse staffing on patient satisfaction. Nursing Management, 47(11), 22-27.
- Shields, M., & Wilkins, K. (2006). The Nursing Workforce in Canada: A summary report. Statistics Canada.
- Wong, C. A., & Cummings, G. G. (2007). The relationship between nursing leadership and patient outcomes: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing Management, 15(5), 491-506.
- Barden, C. L. (2015). Supporting the nurse work environment: The role of management. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 20(1).
- Stone, P. W., et al. (2007). Organizational climate and nurse outcomes. Journal of Nursing Administration, 37(8), 335-343.