How can I increase the morale on my unit?

Nurses Relations

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Hi All,

So I've only been a nurse for a little over a year in an ER in South Alabama. I absolutely love my job and (most of) my coworkers lol. I was a tech first where I work now so I've been in the same hospital since March of 2012.

One of the things that I've really noticed is our extremely high rate of turn over for nurses in our facility, and specifically our ED. I know this is probably a nationwide issue in nursing and not any unit specific, but it just seems like our management sees it and does nothing to try and improve the morale in the hospital and in our ER.

It's very disheartening to go into work, excited to be there and literally NO one else is enjoying being at work. Now, I'm not talking about the "OMG! We're going to Disney" level of excitement, but just enjoying what you do.

So here's my question for all of you awesome nurses/techs/CNAs and whoever else is on AN tonight:

How (if addressed at all by your facility) has your facility strived to reduce the level of turn over in your facility? What part (if any) have you played in raising morale on your unit? What do you think would improve your work experience? What changes would you like to see from management to make you excited to come to work and be a part of a team?

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
When we have a really good night at work, it's not uncommon for one of the nurses to email our manager directly and say "I'm so proud of our team tonight, we got x, and y, and z done etc..."

Yes indeedie, marienm!

EVERYONE involved, including the Supervisor and the Department Administrator, knew of the good job these People did:

Right now, I am giving a Prayer of Thanks to God Almighty for my Great Co-Workers who have made the past Two Nights not Merely Bearable, but Transcendent!

Yelling, Falling, Head Banging, Hypoxic, Bleeding, Urine Soaked, Poopy, Confused, Delusional, Agitated, Verbally and Physically Aggressive Treatment Non-Compliant Psychotic Geriatric Patients could not deter these Team Members from Providing Exceptional Care!

MD, House Supervisor, Respiratory Therapist, RN, LPN, Techs, Security Guards, even though not Specifically Named, on MY All-Time Top List of People I want to Nominate (when they Die) to go to Heaven!

Amen!

Like Linus Van Pelt said: "Love is like jam- you can't spread even a little without getting some on yourself."

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Hmmm! Something went awry! I lost this post in an edit!

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How about team building sessions? Like have a party, dine out, or anything in between.

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if it's recognition for work well done you are thinking will keep staff .... you will never get it or enough! Few managers now the importance of praise and those that do often forget quickly. Turn over in healthcare is high everywhere. It is hard to keep happy employees most times. Often it is YOU that will have to make those small differences to cultivate a good working environment that's enjoyable if not just tolerable at times.

I have worked at a LTC facility for a few years now as a charge nurse. Turn over is outrageous and moral is nonexistent. My mother was a motivational speaker so I have that as MY foundation for looking at life and I have had to apply it at work to aid in keeping my staff content and motivated because Management is constantly turning over too. I love to sing so I do sing all day long ... to my staff and my residents and often they join in. I have a positive thought jar that has a positive thought written on it each day and candy inside. (Staff come from all the halls to get some good vibes & candy) I treat my staff to milkshakes on days we are terribly short. And about every 3 months I buy them pizza. We also do potluck once a month. This doesn't solve Resident or staffing issues and Management NEVER recognizes what I do or how well we all pull together to get through the tough days but WE KNOW and we make it work as best we can. I am always suggesting to management to do a "HIGH FIVE" reward (simple way to for staff to say to staff you did great now take this card to DON to get a little treat - but our DON keeps changing people!) I love my CNAs and fellow Nurses. We all try to work together to keep things running smoothly. Our full time staff has been pretty regular for almost a year now.

This may be helpful. Best wishes to you.

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I make enough money that I buy or make tasty goodies for my CNS'a and other nurses. Leave in the breakroom for anyone to have a quick bite. I THANK my CNA's and I thank my coworker nurses and other staff. And lucky me, I work in a rahab that allows us to be human, I hug coworkers at the end of a hard day and I hug patients, (when obviously welcome), give a good word when I can. Very, very few people turn a hug down.

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One more thing, read the 7 Habits of highly effecive people and do what you can- even if you are not the boss, there are things you can do and attitudes you can take. Another great leadership author Patrick Lencioni and the 3 signs of a miserable job- simpler than the 7 Habits, but valuable lessons- we do have to treat each other human if we want to be a team. We do have to care.

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Specializes in Rehab, acute/critical care.

As others may have mentioned:

1) Praise and appreciation for good work.

2) Celebrate nurse's week.

3) Actually listen to employees on their ideas for unit improvement.

4) Discuss with employees on how to professionally handle conflicts with each other.

5) Do group activities of pot luck in the break room... order pizza.

6) Do an employee of the month and give gift card to somewhere.

7) Simply ask the co-workers what would make them enjoy it better.

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