How does your hospital recognize, reward, and motivate staff (RN, CNA, etc.)?

[krystin954]

I am a nursing student and am interested in how other hospitals recognize, reward, and motivate staff when it comes to change, or performing tasks consistently and going above and beyond. Is there a program your hospital or unit has in place to recognize certain staff members or motivate others to go above and beyond?

[JSlovex2]

Recognize, reward and motivate? I get a pay check every two weeks.

this is EXACTLY what i was thinking before i even read your response!!

of course, there are "reward programs" where i work, but they typically go to the laziest nurses on the planet who have somehow managed to swindle the supervisors into thinking they are something special - such is life. us regular folk will get lectured about something horrible we did and the charge nurses and "good employees" will do something ten times worse and it goes without notice.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

We have quartely awards, whose name I won't mention, lol. You have to be nominated by co workers, patients/families. What I find interesting is the fact that ER, OR and Woman/infants always win. One long time nurse told me that med/surg has never won! Goes to show you how much of a popularity contest it can be.

Otherwise, we have a pat on the back weekly from the manager, and we have a 'spirit at work' that one can fill out. You don't get anything for them but a pat on the back. It sure beats a kick in the pants!

[pharmgirl]

This is something we are currently trying to address at our hospital. We have a PALS program where coworkers can put a name in and that person can pick something from the "prize" box. It's neat, but rarely used. We are trying to find things to boost morale. Fun little things, so far its been tough finding something that isn't cheesy.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

The hospital that I am currently at has an employee spotlight on each floor where a CNA or RN's picture is hung on a bulliten board with some basic information- how long they have been working, hobbies, etc.

The hospital I will be going two has a points system where employees recognized for outstanding work (by patients or staff) are awarded points by the nurse manager. With the points, you can go online to the hospital website and buy anything from make-up to clothes to electronics. Nurse managers are encouraged to give these points out.

[SummitRN, BSN, RN]

[eyeball]

Yesterday at the end of my shift my charge nurse said to me "You did a good job today,,, Thank you!" I almost fell over...in seven months on the floor that's a first.

[belgarion]

We have cards patients can fill out if they are really pleased with the care someone gives them. Other than that the Employee of the Month gets a parking spot for that month. BTW, ever notice how those Employee of the Month plaques you see everywhere are usually six months or more behind? Shows how meaningful the award really is.

[CathyLew]

interested in how other hospitals recognize, reward, and motivate staff when it comes to change, or performing tasks consistently and going above and beyond. Is there a program your hospital or unit has in place to recognize certain staff members or motivate others to go above and beyond?

my old hospital recognized good employees by writing them up, suspending them, harassing them.... oh wait. They treated all employees the same. Good or bad. maybe that is why all the good ones eventually leave.

[mmm cdiff]

We have this program called "Get Caught Fishing" around the hospital there are little drop boxes with a small forms and pencils. Basically anyone visitor, patient or employee can write on the form about an employee or department that went above and beyond. The person mentioned then gets the slip with a little pin that says "You Got Caught Being the Best" its a pretty cool reward system. Our manager also forwards letters written by patients and family about praise and such.

A fellow AH employee? You forgot ACE awards

We get those Fish awards and ACE awards which equate to $5 at the cafeteria or gift shop.

[lckrn2pa]

I've worked at several that do those star awards or whatever little nifty name upper management/preschool teacher came up with to call it. I only say that because last time I looked I was an adult and gold stars on some board really do not impress me that much.

There was one hospital that the infection control nurse would walk around at random and if she saw a nurse gel in/out of a room (hand sanitizer) she would give them movie tickets or gift cards to local restaurants. She did this on her own and out of her department budget. She even went as far as wearing street clothes, hats, scarves sunglasses.

[elkpark]

My current (not for long! :)) employer doesn't. In fact, the administration seems to be actively trying to have staff morale be as poor as possible.

[MisMatch, LPN]

They recognize us by writing us up for any & every error we make.

They reward us with a pay check every 2 weeks.

They motivate us by reminding us how lucky we are to have a job.

Twice a year, they serve us a meal (Christmas & summer) and give us a gift. Last gift was an umbrella they told us not to use in windy conditions or it would break.