Senior administration working a shift/month

[2rntish]

I heard about his from a friend in Tulsa. Their senior administrative staff works one shift a month (shift of their choice, usually a weekend) as unlicensed staff. Pass trays, assist with baths, transport pts...He said it helped with morale more than any thing he has seen in years. The nursing staff now know that the administative types know what it is like (to a degree) to try to take care of 7 patients AND their family AND call lights, AND meds not available, AND no equipment, AND 5 admits...

Anyone else work where this is done??? I have suggested it and probably be looking for employment before long. Still think it is a GREAT idea.

[RNPATL, DNP, RN]

Agree with RNPATL

The CEO of Mercy Health System has gone out on homecare visits with nurses and PT's in suburbs and city areas. Resident physicians will be accompanying RN's on visits this fall along with med students. Dietary administrator made home visits too. CEO of my homecare agency took Intake Referrals for several hours one snowy day and UNDERSTANDS my department.

They now know what it takes to provide " excellent customer service"

and have gotten me the tools to work with: new computers!

Karen - I think your situation is wonderful. Unfortunately, your situation is more the exception than the rule. In all my years in nursing, I have only had 1 CNO take the time to get involved with the operation of our floor. She was a wonderful CNO and really worked to get the nurses what they needed to do the job.

I really believe that if senior management took a moment out of their day to recognize that it is a real disaster on the floors today, they might stop and think about what they are doing. Maybe not, but I would hope so. Your situation illustrates that when senior management works side by side with nursing, things can get accomplished.

[Betty_SPN_KS, LPN]

This reminds me of a nursing home administrator who could sometimes be found mopping floors, pushing wheelchairs, working in the dish room. This guy had so much energy, the DON called him "a fart in a frying pan" LOL.

I think an administrator-in-training had to take CNA training.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Karen - I think your situation is wonderful. Unfortunately, your situation is more the exception than the rule. In all my years in nursing, I have only had 1 CNO take the time to get involved with the operation of our floor. She was a wonderful CNO and really worked to get the nurses what they needed to do the job.

I really believe that if senior management took a moment out of their day to recognize that it is a real disaster on the floors today, they might stop and think about what they are doing. Maybe not, but I would hope so. Your situation illustrates that when senior management works side by side with nursing, things can get accomplished.

This has only occured due to the efforts of the CEO: Gavin Kerr. He introduced a program Quint Studer started called "Values in Practice". It is about empowering and focusing on employees. Employees who strive for excellence, feel valued and have a say in their job will provide improved customer service to other staff members therefore spill over to improved patient satisfaction.

I've seen the possitive change within my own work unit and have high employee satisfaction scores from recent survey to prove it works.