What are some creative ways to help boost the morale/spirit of a unit?

[Spoiled1, MSN, RN]

I just started working on a step-down ICU that has been through a lot over the last year or so. Most of the nurses are negative, burnt out and ready to move on. The unit has undergone a lot of mangament and staff changes recently. We now have a permanent manager who is trying to clean up the mess that was created. Needless to say the morale is basically gone. What are some ideas to help boost the morale and encourage positive reinforcement on our unit? A lot of the negative nurses will be leaving soon, so it'll be like starting over from scratch. When I see other nurses doing a great job I try acknowledge it. We also have a bulletin board where people can write a thank you, or any thing they want to a co-worker who has done something outstanding. The board also has letters and emails from families. What are some other creative things we can implement to help re-build the morale and spirit of our unit? :)

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

First you need to look at what the root causes of the problems were. I'm assuming from your post that there was not effective unit management, but where does the top brass stand in all this? If there were problems, why did they not respond earlier?

Most morale issues arise from the fact that staff do not have proper chains of communication to higher management. This leads to feelings that they are inconsequential and that "nobody cares about their problems." If managers have "open door" policies right up to the top, and if the hospital manager takes time out to visit staff in their departments and get their input first hand, it promotes a feeling of self-worth, from the lowest to the highest.

I would suggest, if you haven't already implemented it, a policy of "green area" meetings, at least on a weekly basis, and I would moot the suggestion to the hospital manager that 6-monthly meetings with all staff, from all departments, will help prevent such situations arising in the future.

[tobesmartt]

good luck with that. most nurse do care. however when you see management that can not say thankyou for working in the snow storm. look at you like "duh.." i find it very hard to keep up praises continually. most of higher management are nurses. they need to walk the shoes of a nurse and take their heels off. then i think they would appreciate us.

[orangepink, NP]

go out and have fun as a unit. like, go for karaoke singing or bowling.

[resumecpr]

Take pictures of all the staff and put it up on a board for all to see. You'd be surprised how much fun it is to see how some staff have changed - and how mnay patients and visitors look at it. Decorate the unit with appropriate pics, fake flowers, etc.

Outside of work - plan an activity every 2 weeks outside of work.

You can also have chips and dip night, salad night, sandwich night, etc. Food makes us happy.

[time4meRN]

Be honest with staff, when you compliment them, mean it . Fight for them if you know they are right. If they were wrong, investigate , don't just say that's the way it is here. Hold management accountable for their mistakes, it's not a one way road. Be a part of the staff. Be willing to take an assignment. Always helps staff to know the managers can do the work they are asking of others.

[Mudder]

not to sound cliche but every month or so, I buy lunch for my staff....nothing fancy, they know I don't have a lot of money but it's the thought that counts. Last time, I bought a 6ft sub with all the fixin's, soda, chips ect and split it between all three shifts. It was well recieved and they loved that I thought of ALL of them.

[orangepink, NP]

Take pictures of all the staff and put it up on a board for all to see. You'd be surprised how much fun it is to see how some staff have changed - and how mnay patients and visitors look at it. Decorate the unit with appropriate pics, fake flowers, etc.

Outside of work - plan an activity every 2 weeks outside of work.

You can also have chips and dip night, salad night, sandwich night, etc. Food makes us happy.

Great ideas! And for the annual thanksgiving / xmas party, plan BIG!