Nursing staff discouraged now

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.

The morale of some of our nurses is really low and they complain about how horrible this job is for them. This keeps repeating every day and nobody is adressing it. It gets to the point that the rest of us who enjoy our job just stay away from them. The nurse manager is aware of the issue and she states that she can not afford to lose any nurses right now. How would you adress the issue without creating conflict?

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Specializes in Rehabilitaion.

Wow, that really sucks. I'm sorry. :(

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Specializes in Psych/Substance Abuse, Ambulatory Care.

That's so frustrating... considering all we do at the bedside, it takes a lot of energy to participate in volunteer activities at work during our off-hours... Perhaps the right people will notice a drop in participation at these activities and put two & two together... if not a pay bonus, then SOME incentive would be nice!

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Specializes in LTC, Pediatrics, Renal Med/Surg.

Just let them know there are many new grads out there willing a ready to take the jobs that they hate just to get a job. I'd rather have a job that I hate if I could just get one at all....

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Specializes in NICU.

Find out exactly why those nurses are unhappy and find solutions to those problems. I don't understand why the nurse manager says she can't afford to lose nurses if she doesn't try to solve why the nurses are leaving.

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Are their complaints valid? What is being done to address them by management?

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Specializes in ER, Trauma.

If somebody throws you a hot potato, throw it back to them! When somebody complains, you can retreat, or you can go forwrd with it. Ask them what they're doing to resolve the problem. If they complain about another person, ask them what that person said when they brought it ot their attention. There are many variations, but the point is for you to not feel helpless, and don't buy into the implied helplessness of the complainer. Soon they'll realise that they either need to do something about the problem, or at least leave you alone for lack of secondary gain. Good luck, glad you've recognised and avoided what I call "the malignant attitude." Hope this helps cause I feel your pain.

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.

You know some complaints are valid, because our facility is undergoing a lot of changes. Most of the changes have been negative (cutting staff, cutting pay etc. ) It hasn't been a joy for the most of us. But I guess some nurses can cope better than others. But I think it is inappropriate to be vocal at the nurses desk how unhappy the job makes them feel.

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Specializes in Rehabilitaion.

I don't agree with the usual griping that happens around the nurses station, but in this case I would hope that some visitors overhear what is being done to the nurses. I know I'm a bad girl, but we all know who fills out the surveys (family members) and we all know that is the feedback that means the most to the execs.

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.
I don't agree with the usual griping that happens around the nurses station, but in this case I would hope that some visitors overhear what is being done to the nurses. I know I'm a bad girl, but we all know who fills out the surveys (family members) and we all know that is the feedback that means the most to the execs.

You are right about that. I just hate to see what the griping does to the morale of others. We need to get together as a team and do great nursing care, no matter what's going on down in administration. All this griping and complaining is not helping at all.

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Specializes in NICU.

Nobody likes a Debbie Downer.

11 Low Cost Ways to Increase Employee Morale:

http://sbinformation.about.com/od/businessmanagemen1/a/employee-morale.htm

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Specializes in Post Anesthesia.
Just let them know there are many new grads out there willing a ready to take the jobs that they hate just to get a job. I'd rather have a job that I hate if I could just get one at all....

Yep- nothing cheers someone up more than being told you are easily replaced:confused:

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