Rewarding tenured staff - your ideas?

[enzati]

I'm a clinical leader on a unit in a busy pediatric hospital. While we do have a "younger" staff, lately it's been brought to our attention that we do very little to nothing to reward or recognize our tenured staff. (our "tenured" staff runs from 5-13 years). Considering that our hospital has been unable to have any cost of living raises or significant increases in pay for over 4 years now, we want to provide them something that says they mean a lot to us! What kinds of ideas have you implemented? We were looking at schedule related items, but I'd like ALL types of ideas. Thank you for your time!!! -Jaime

[cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP]

I would be interested in seeing some responses to this topic.

!Chris

[CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Considering that our hospital has been unable to have any cost of living raises or significant increases in pay for over 4 years now, we want to provide them something that says they mean a lot to us!

Unfortunately, I think the lack of COL adjustment/pay raises shows your staff how exactly much they're appreciated by the hospital.

Other options might include additional PTO days, being allowed to take additional (reimbursed) classwork towards a degree above the standard level reimbursed by your hospital, freedom from forced overtime shifts, the choice to work holiday shifts (or not).

Pay isn't everything, but it is something. To have a pay freeze for 4 years is not a good thing, and is not conducive to retaining experienced staff.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Our staff that have been at the hospital for 20+ years do not have to work any hospital holiday. That's a pretty nice incentive.

I think that additional days of PTO per year of service would also be a nice gesture- if you can get the hospital to approve that.