Nursing retention

I too think that this is a good question considering I havent stayed at a particular place for longer than 2 yrs and that was when I was an agency aide. Anyway, I would be more inclined to stay at a place where the management was sincerely nice to you not b/c "state" was in the building or just generally wanted to know how things are going with you, a place where you were able to speak your mind and not considered "hostile or insubordinate," a place where the "open door policy" really meant "open door," working with team members of all titles who really are interested in helping each other get the job done instead of "that's not my patient, assignment, or responsibility," working with people who didnt always look for the opportunity to have the "knife" in your back, working where I am appreciated and not just another "expendable" employee and going to work at a place for 12hrs knowing that at least 10hrs of the day we actually had a good time, made each other laugh, the job got done and we all leave out on time! :yelclap: :w00t:

That is the kind of place that I would like to work for! I cant stay where the management (the higher up's right down to the unit manager or shift supervisor) treat you like crap or let the unit manager or shift supervisor say and do whatever they please just b/c they know they can and that they dont have anyone to answer to accept "corporate.":nono:

Overall, I just want to be able to take the good with the bad, put down some real roots, build lasting relationships, and get 1 w-2 at the end of the year.

you guys are awesome!!!

Thank you so much for replying.

Harry

In order of importance-

1. Respect and appreciation

2. Working conditions

3. Good teamwork, good leadership.

4. Money

*Decent staffing ratios that allow you to relax from time to time, take your breaks, and have a reason to smile on the job. Not ratios that make you work until you feel like you're going to drop from exhaustion and scared that you forgot to do something important for a patient.

*Zero tolerance for any type of abuse on the job from patients, family members, doctors, and staff members. Not a "this comes with the territory of nursing" type attitude.

Those are the two are issues that drove me out of facility type nursing. I never had issues with pay. As a matter of fact, I'd accept lower pay if I knew I would be in an environment where I could be happy.

This topic was discussed by myself and 2IC (second in charge) yesterday!

One hospital has incentives and a point system that if a patient is happy with the service, you give them a card and they tell management how wonderful you are. After receiving a certain amount of points you can then reveive a gift maybe micro-wave, toaster whatever you wish from that amount of points. It did not work! The company has recently employed outsiders to investigate why their is such an out flow from their establishment. I believe the above comments that have been made are the answer. Belonging, team work, money, respect. When dealing with junior staff I always stop and listen and explain procedures and what my train of thought is. I go to the patient and enter into the nursing notes that something has been reported to me and my solution, the nurses are all part of the team and we function as so.

That Bonus point system may have worked better if you were rewarded for not having complaints instead of having positive feedback! Say you start out with X points and lose them as the complaints are registered or something.

It is human nature to complain but few take the time to actually say thank you for a job well-done. Think about it- most restaurants these days have those comment cards right at the table or in with the check but almost nobody fills them in unless they are unsatisfied.

This topic was discussed by myself and 2IC (second in charge) yesterday!

One hospital has incentives and a point system that if a patient is happy with the service, you give them a card and they tell management how wonderful you are. After receiving a certain amount of points you can then reveive a gift maybe micro-wave, toaster whatever you wish from that amount of points. It did not work! The company has recently employed outsiders to investigate why their is such an out flow from their establishment. I believe the above comments that have been made are the answer. Belonging, team work, money, respect. When dealing with junior staff I always stop and listen and explain procedures and what my train of thought is. I go to the patient and enter into the nursing notes that something has been reported to me and my solution, the nurses are all part of the team and we function as so.

What idiots run that hospital?

Instead of "employing outsiders to investigate" why nurses are leaving, why don't they just ask the nurses?

Can you imagine doctors busting their butts and kissing pt's azzes for little tokens like microwaves and toasters? Why do people think this is an appropriate way to treat nurses?

I think hospital mgmt gets more stupid by the day.

*Decent staffing ratios that allow you to relax from time to time, take your breaks, and have a reason to smile on the job. Not ratios that make you work until you feel like you're going to drop from exhaustion and scared that you forgot to do something important for a patient.

*Zero tolerance for any type of abuse on the job from patients, family members, doctors, and staff members. Not a "this comes with the territory of nursing" type attitude.

Those are the two are issues that drove me out of facility type nursing. I never had issues with pay. As a matter of fact, I'd accept lower pay if I knew I would be in an environment where I could be happy.

I agree with everything you said, 100%.

Everyone in our hospital has been here many years. The key to such retention. CITY PENSION works every time

Probably the biggest factor on retaining the nurses at my hospital is schedules. We have fixed rotations so you can plan your life and vacations well in advance and this is very important for our family life. Something that managers forget is that to an employee most of the time their first priority is their family and not their job. I think if employers would accept this instead of shoving the job down your throat that retention would be better and perhaps the shortage not as severe.

I just came upon this thread, and I would love to start it up again!

-Good pay

-5:1 ratios in non-critical; 3:1 step-down; 2:1 ICU; and 1:1 open-heart cases

-good insurance

-mgt that listens to nurses and other staff

just curious, what is your retention rate? Ours is a poor 67%!!!!!!!!!!!!!