Boosting Moral

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It seems like our ER goes through cycles of low moral and general bad attitude. We are in one of these now. Lot of staff leaving which makes us very short staffed which makes moral much lower. We have 24 open positions right now! Managers are calling daily begging for help. We are working short everyday. Management will not get there butts in there to help us. It just sucks!

Does your ER go through these kinds of cycles? Any suggestions to pull us out of this funk quiker?

Specializes in Emergency.
So because I don't think like you or the majority I'm a whiner....interesting.

No, the person she was talking about, not you, is a whiner not because of their differing opinions but because they would complain about someone giving their thanks by giving them free, delicious food because it doesn't fit in their diet. Get a real problem, get a priority, get off it, and move on!!!

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So because I don't think like you or the majority I'm a whiner....interesting.

Being the good southern gentleman I am I would never ever insult another person's gesture with food. I might politely decline saying "maybe later, but thanks so much". And I always tell families, docs, or managers, who ask what they can do for us to bring in food and goodies because that's what the majority wants.

However, I would allow the vegans/health nuts in my surroundings to have their opinions and honor that as well.

I guess my opinion about "whining"/"whiners"....you honor then? Why is it that some people can voice their opinion and others are told it's wrong for you to have an opinion?:bow: What happened to the "good debate"? You shouldn't be honored for calling names like tactless and accusation of trying to kill them.....Nor for me accusing whiners, without realizing someone is going to take issue or make an counter opinion about it. You were quite quick to voice your own opinion nay to me for my remarks....So even though the underlying topic is boosting moral, and highjacking a thread often happens I think it is a good debate after all. I guess my opinion about boosting moral is different than some, but in the seasons of Thanks and Giving...When most of the time we get so busy at work that we either miss dinner or we pass the food table and grab a piece of pizza and eat it on the go so to speak.....I think a Lg. sausage with banna peppers and cheese would be great.......hee hee

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Specializes in Level 1, Level 2, Level 4 trauma and med.

Low morale just comes with the territory. Not all can be fixed with food bribes though. What helps is recoignition from the docs and managemet regarding wow well the staff is doing with high acuity or high census, the usual reason for bumbed out workers. Also team work adds to cohesivness of the unit. Leading by example....that is getting the charge nurse out from behind a desk and helping with a bad trauma or even cleaning some rooms.....goes a long way for low morale.

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Specializes in M/S,TELE,ORTHO,ER.

I quickly skimmed thru this thread. I think the food subject led people down the garden path. I know what it is to feel demoralized. I think the most important thing is that people treat each other respectfully. Say nice things to each other, it feels corny but you can get used to it. One of the best things you can do to build teamwork is to praise someone in front of others. A simple thank you will suffice. "Gee, Brandy I don't know what I would have done if you didn't help me..."

It is so important that we all understand that horizontal violence has no place in our profession. Those who feel entitled to be surly have forgotten that they do not know everything either. The person you make uncomfortable today may be the one who could stop you from making a mistake in the future.

Mgmt should take the "I got your back" stance first when issues come up.

I also think that we need some kind of movement to demand respect from the public too. That needs to be backed by mgmt too. Tell you what, I will come up with a few concrete suggestions which may or may not include food and get back w/you.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.
I am so sorry for you. Chocolate would boost my morale. Cheesecake even more so.:wink2:

I think that without chocolate and pizza, I'd probably just want to stay drunk...:crying2:

Seriously though, a small amount of bittersweet chocolate releases endorphins, so even if you avoid dairy and sugar - splurge on a bar of superfancy 70% cacao bar and just eat a tiny bit. Awesome.

We've started going out after hours. One drink (even if it's pop), everyone from housekeeping to the MDs are invited, and we unload before annoying our spouses with our "can you believe this X$(D#@!!" It's been good for morale since we have something to look forward to at the end of the shift other than simply clocking out.

Blee

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We had a food carry-in yesterday at work and it really boosted everyones morale. We set up a list of what we were all bringing a week prior. I brought my homemade potato soup, another brought their sausage and pepper sandwiches, taco dips, spinach dips and the list goes on ....Everyone loved it and many made the comments that our weekend should do this more often. Everyone was in a good mood yesterday, and of course snacked all day long. (PS: I had fresh bacon bits, cheddar cheese and sour creme on the side for anyone who wanted it with my soup)....:D

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Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.
We had a food carry-in yesterday at work and it really boosted everyones morale. We set up a list of what we were all bringing a week prior. I brought my homemade potato soup, another brought their sausage and pepper sandwiches, taco dips, spinach dips and the list goes on ....Everyone loved it and many made the comments that our weekend should do this more often. Everyone was in a good mood yesterday, and of course snacked all day long. (PS: I had fresh bacon bits, cheddar cheese and sour creme on the side for anyone who wanted it with my soup)....:D

Thats alot better than pizza or chinese or whatever bought for you and sent in. Its always nicer with that homemade touch of love added if you will.

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Thats alot better than pizza or chinese or whatever bought for you and sent in. Its always nicer with that homemade touch of love added if you will.

Oh there was pizza too...lol

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Specializes in OR, ER, TRAVEL, SURGICARE, WOMENS HOSP.

Gee! I think we are kinda missing the point here. The managers of your department must offer some incentives to prn nurses who can be called-in to fill the gap until a permanent nurse can be hired or.... take a nurse from ICU or another area of hopital and have him/her orient to the ER. Nurses today must cross train. Make sure in your department that you can go away for just fifteen minutes to put your feet up and regroup. About the pizza.. never look a gift horse in the mouth!

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