Retention and Recognition

I would say that eveything you mentioned is important. However, the

biggest gripe I have heard from RN's over the years is staffing. The nurse and the hospital have differing viewpoints. The hospital wants to save money, the nurse wants to save lives. Saving lives means hiring nurses, hiring nurses means spending money.

Hospitals used to function as "not-for-profit" institutions.

Now, corporate America sees health care as a money making scheme.

Until we all get our heads together, your ability to function as a health care provider will be subject to some bean counter's assessment of your ability to add to the bottom line.

Nursing has never been, and never will be, something that can be itemized and scored on a charge sheet.

What also burns me is seeing new grads starting at close to what I make, and I have 21y of experience. :angryfire

My facility does absolutely nothing to retain and recognize employees, which is why we have such a high turnover rate.

My hospital now does absolutely nothing for retention either - it's the same for us. A hospital I used to work at had a Clinical Ladder system which was great, you could take a "step up" with further education, community service, etc. There were 4 steps, each increased your pay and stature.

Also, on Nurse's Week, the doctors would give each RN gifts (like $50 gift certificates), and the hospital would as well, usually a nice spread for lunch and something to use at work. Sure do miss that hospital...

I am on a committe trying to implement retention and recognition measures . Any input as to what your facility does would be appreciated. We are discussing a flexible benefit package, staffing issues and generational differences at this time,

every 5 years my hospital has an employee recognition dinner. You receive a pin every 5 years, then they start adding stones to it. At 15 years I was able to pick an item from a nice catalogue free of charge for my service.

They don't do much for nurse's day and we have other problems, but the dinners are nice.