Low Morale

guest744967 · Sep 8, 2014

Haha I second that level 2 trauma...morale is terrible..people are leaving to go to other states. They try to be motivating with posters and emails but we have been slammed with high census..low nurses..sorry i dont have advice but I can relate!

tarotale · Sep 8, 2014

I believe there are only two ways to keep employees especially in healthcare: 1. increase compensation. 2. treat nurses like they are family, not disposable commodity

what do most hospitals and employers do? pay the least they can, lowball staff as much as they can, then demand a lot and tell you how you to increase patient satisfaction score, lower lwbs, and tell you to go above and beyond... no wonder why most nurses I ever worked with have no loyalty to employers every.

Patchouli · Sep 9, 2014

One major reason I finally left the hospital. Giant leap for a nurse that has only done acute care. Low moral, low wages/no raises, increase in workload and patient ratios, no techs, etc. Nearly everyone I worked with was sick of it, but not everyone was ready to make that change.

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2014

They have done lots of studies on workers and in work places in general, You would think that employees would want more money as their number one thing to make them happier....but....NO.. :yes: ..that is not it! They want to be valued and appreciated. You would think that most organizations would snag that tidbit and use it to their advantage but I do not see that happening. I do this on a very personal level as it is earned of course. When My coworker(s) works really hard right alongside me I thank them at the end of the day I thank them. I complement them on a good stick or with dealing well with a difficult patient or family. I offer to pay for lunch or run down and pick them up a latte or an iced tea. I let them know I appreciate them at least even if they do not feel appreciated by the organization as much as they think they should. It really makes a huge difference. I also treat myself for a job well done. If as a group you can find a way to appreciate what you do perhaps everyone moods can be elevated. You need to take care of yourself during your shifts as well. This go above an beyond crap tends to make caregivers feel guilty for taking a break,using the restroom and not being Mother Theresa. My parents already taught me how to be a caring person so I do not need my employer to do it for me!

duskyjewel · Sep 9, 2014

This go above an beyond crap tends to make caregivers feel guilty for taking a break,using the restroom and not being Mother Theresa.

And even she ate, eliminated, and slept.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2014

Our unit has very low morale. One of our managers goes around making sure people are thanked consistently, I know they mean well but it feels so empty anyway as the problems on the unit that need to be resolved go way beyond the lack of appreciation. Until they fix the real underlying problems, these band-aid solutions are not going to stick. People are going to continue to leave.

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Guests · Sep 9, 2014

Our unit has very low morale. One of our managers goes around making sure people are thanked consistently, I know they mean well but it feels so empty

The issue, I think, is that they address the root causes of the poor morale... things like punitive policies, lack of equipment or supplies, staff abuse by patients/families.

If they make no serious effort in trying to address problems, the thanks are (as you said), empty platitudes.