Morale

[DEB52]

I was wondering if there are any suggestions on helping with the morale on the unit? I am a Clinical Team Manager of an antepartum unit. There has been an increase of patient load due to more in-patients, triage overflows and cervidil/cytotec inductions. The entire OB department is stressed. What can I do to help the staff?:smilecoffeeIlovecof

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

If positon allows taking patient care assignment for a shift, your staff will appreciate the pitching in.

FOOD along with "thank you for your teamwork" cards sent to employee's homes goes a long way to acknowledge stress and that you care.

[DEB52]

I love the idea of sending a card to their home. Thanks! It's funny I just responded to a thread on nurses weight gain. I also believe food helps alot. But stepping in and helping on the unit when you can seens to help alot.

[FalconRN]

Stepping in and helping is huge. It doesn't need to be big things, but letting them know you notice makes a big difference. One of the comments made in my last 360 appraisal was that I passed trays and answered bells (I think I did each two or three times in a year) but staff noticed and remembered. As a Director, it "isn't my job", but I believe quality care is all our job, and if I can elp I do

[Uptoherern, RN]

obvious answer...........STAFF better to decrease the load. This wll decrease the stress.....this will increase morale. KISS

[irishnurse67]

I was wondering if there are any suggestions on helping with the morale on the unit? I am a Clinical Team Manager of an antepartum unit. There has been an increase of patient load due to more in-patients, triage overflows and cervidil/cytotec inductions. The entire OB department is stressed. What can I do to help the staff?:smilecoffeeIlovecof

One way to help w/morale is to roll up your sleeves and help on the flr. Another way is to pick up a noc shift once in a while if you have to force your day nurses to rotate to nights. Another way is to tell JCAHO that some things don't need documentation and others surely don't need double and triple documentation. Another morale booster is to have reimbursement paperwork done by Utilization Review instead of the bedside nurse. Or, at least don't give the nurses a hard time about incidental OT when the only reason they're staying late is b/c they save the unneccessary paperwork for the end of the shift instead of doing it when they have patients to take care of! Another great nurse morale booster is to tell MDs that they can look up their own labs and are responsible for follow up and that it's not the nurse's job to track them down. Also, some docs need to know that we are not there to find every little thing for them of they've been working at the hospital for a long time. Also, please fire unsafe staff instead of making us work w/them! And order the supples we need-don't tell us they're too expensive when other depts have the very same supplies we're asking for!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

do whatever you can to make this a short-term situation.

Otherwise, be knocking on doors (or people) to get help.