[twotrees2]

i hope i am doing this right and putting it in the right place - the problem is - moral at my place of employment is very low and its harder and harder to keep or get staff that are any good. i wold like ideas of small things to do that may boost moral and make quality of care better thus enhancing the facility and our image - raises would be great but the place is cheap - so far i have come up with - 1 - reinstate employee of the month - they have the parking sign spot right near the door but right now its first come first serve - and perhaps a small gift if even only a small gift basket fr the runner up. ( i sell at flea markets as well - id even donate the small prizes - i have some nice stuff albeit not expensive lol ) - or 2 - once a week give the staff the option to eat at work without eating vending food- give them one or 2 meal tickets a week and let them choose what day and just let cooks know ahead of time - they throw more than any shift could eat away half the time! even just a fresh bowl of soup would be better than those vendor burgers - 3- a friend suggested then monthly employees could be chosen for a yearly employee and perhaps a gift certificate or something. - 4 - evaluations - may sound stupid but i have been there over a yr and never once had an evaluation - and one done by peers ( hand out questionnaires to staff that work with them how do they do etc - so its a honest eval not just a management who dont really know how they work situation. all i have so any other advice will be good. thanks and hope i did this right.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Hmmm....how about appreciating EVERY employee and taking the time to thank them for the things they do right and well?

Employee of the Month is all fine and good, but where I am, the only time we hear from our manager or admin is when we do something WRONG. There is so much negative communication, it's not funny. And the only communication we do get is a note on a bulletin board or a MOX (email). Gee what happened to face-to-face human interaction???

Somehow, this needs to change. They keep sending out blanket cautionaries and no-no statements when just a few are screwing up. THIS really, really dampens morale and undermines those of us who try to excel in our everyday performance of our work---and exceed the "standards". Where is our word of praise or encouragement?

Just a suggestion. Positive reinforcement and input is not just for kids; employees need it too.

[TheCommuter]

Managers and supervisors need to say a simple "Thank You" to all of the people in the organization who make things happen. Coworkers need to say "Thank You" to each other rather than stab each other in the back with gossip and sour attitudes. Morale would increase quite substantially if only all of the members of the organization felt valued and appreciated for all they do. Saying "Thank You" helps.

[twotrees2]

Originally Posted by TheCommuter

Managers and supervisors need to say a simple "Thank You" to all of the people in the organization who make things happen. Coworkers need to say "Thank You" to each other rather than stab each other in the back with gossip and sour attitudes. Morale would increase quite substantially if only all of the members of the organization felt valued and appreciated for all they do. Saying "Thank You" helps.

agreed - thank you for responses - just figuredout how to refind this post haha. not any better at work but i do get told by my stafff they are glad when i am working cause i rarely fail to thank them for all they do.

[DiscouragedRN]

I thought I was the only nurse in the only hospital in the world that never recognized a nurses hard work. Our morale is the pits! We have new nurses quitting all the time without notice. Our med-surg floors are taking care of 10 patients a piece. We float all the time to cover these units!
Our VP of Nursing was going for magnet status when she finally realized they wouldnt get it because there was very little nurse involvement and extremely low nurse satisfaction rates. There was no nurse involvement because we thought if she tried to get it and failed maybe she would be fired. But, the VP of Nursing gave up and told the CEO it was because we didnt do enough nursing research. Then to really get back at us for not supporting her endeavors she got rid of nurses day. It is now hospital day. She is a very vindictive person. She has gone through at least 40 directors and managers since she obtained her position 5 years ago. Anyone that has a different opinion is asked to step down or is fired.
I work in a very punitive environment. Now we have RED RULES and suspensions. I believe totally in good patient care, but I also believe you you learn from mistakes. Im not talking sentinel events here. Im talking about little things.
I wish there was some way to remove her from her position. I have worked here a long time and I see the hospital falling apart under her supervision. She talks about good patient care and appears to be a great advocate. But I believe the first component for good patient care is adequate staffing and happy nurses.
Anyone have any ideas on how to get a CEO to listen and actually see what the VP of Nursing is doing to our hospital? Anyone that has crossed her path before is no longer employed at our hospital.

[TheCommuter]

Originally Posted by DiscouragedRN

Anyone have any ideas on how to get a CEO to listen and actually see what the VP of Nursing is doing to our hospital? Anyone that has crossed her path before is no longer employed at our hospital.

Unfortunately, many CEOs suffer from 'swollen head syndrome' and believe that they're simply too good to listen to the suggestions of any person who ranks below them in the hierarchy.

[RGN1]

When I worked on a really busy ward, where it was heavy & hard our ward manager used to arrange a staff night out. We'd have a raffle to subsidise the evening & then do things like go on a dinner cruise. It was great fun & helped us realise what a good bunch of people we really were. Despite the hard work our ward was always full of laughter & fun. I'm sure the nights out together really helped.

[AfloydRN]

Not to be soooooooo negative, but I just resigned from a FT day shift Charge position in ICU/ PCU because our morale was so low and noone in management cared. I worked for this hospital for 11 years and had a working relationship w/ all the other nurses and MD's. I as even on a first name basis w/ the intensivists. However, noone would help when you asked. Insubordination ran the unit. Our manager didn't care. Just keep showing up to work and all is well. When I quit, so did our nursing supervisor and about 5 other ICU nurses. My last day on the floor, we were told the manager" had resigned". Give me a break. Morale comes from the higher ups who actually care and make a difference.