Rewarding tenured staff - what have you seen?

[enzati]

I'm cross-posting this from the nursing management board for more replies.

I'm a clinical leader in a busy pediatric hospital. Lately we've realized that we do very little to reward or recognize our more tenured staff. We want to be able to let these people know that we really do appreciate all their hard work, willingness to precept, be a resource, serve as charge RN, etc. Monetary rewards are really tough for us to do, but we're willing to consider anything. What has worked for you, or what have you seen/received that really made you feel good? Thanks for your time!! - Jaime

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

I think it's great to acknowledge tenured staff and all staff! Although I'm not tenured, I would love to be respected. We all want to hear that we're doing well. I would think everyone understands the financial woes we see today, but having an extra day or two off would be good. Personal time that you use or lose. We all would like a raise and find it hard to see higher ups get raises and bonuses but hear the same line about budget woes when it comes to the front line.

Extra vacation time, parking closer......

Please don't do the free food thing, the stupid mug with the company logo on it, or the brief mention in the monthly news letter. My mother hung her 25yr acknowledgement in the outhouse at her summer cabin :lol2:

[mindlor]

Not a nurse or nurse manager yet, but years of management experiencce. Heartfelt, honest, but non-patrinizing praise does wonders for morale. Maybe compile a list of positive comments about the individual that you have come across and present it to them. Its tricky, especially when unions are involved.....It will be interesting to see what others have to say

[DixieRedHead, ASN, RN]

I have never seen ANYTHING done to celebrate the service of longtime staff other than the ad nauseum plaque and the above noted mention in the news letter.

Please don't say that money is hard to come by. Hospitals are either profit or non profit.

If profit, you might consider sharing the profit.

If non profit, that doesn't mean that profit isn't made (and made in large amounts) it just must be spent. And part of it is spent on administration (of which I am a member) bonuses.

You might want to consider cutting some of those down and at least give bonuses for those who celebrate 10-15-20 etc years of SERVICE.

If you don't want to give them something they need or want, just forget it.

[Isabelle49]

In my 26+ years as an RN, I have never heard of that. I have, however, heard that there are caps on hourly salary and when one reaches it they can no longer receive increases. Talk about being punished for loyalty.

[KneKno]

We gathered ideas on about this several years ago, but none were implemented. Some ideas, based on years of service (we were talking about staff that had 20-25-30 years in the hospital and most were scheduling tweaks--no cost): Limit number of all holidays worked, have off all of Christmas/New Years (eves and days of) holidays, less week-end requirements, dedicated parking area.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

We gathered ideas on about this several years ago, but none were implemented. Some ideas, based on years of service (we were talking about staff that had 20-25-30 years in the hospital and most were scheduling tweaks--no cost): Limit number of all holidays worked, have off all of Christmas/New Years (eves and days of) holidays, less week-end requirements, dedicated parking area.

The holiday perk is a great idea. Nothing says appreciation like getting scheduled off for Christmas and Christmas Eve. I hope management where I work is reading this.

[noahsmama]

At the peds hospital I used to work at, nurses who had been there 20 years or more did not have to work weekends. A few chose to do so anyway, but most were happy to get their weekends off.

[FancypantsRN]

The reward I have noticed most for long length of service is a pink slip. I think monetary is always the best (there always seems to be money available for what admin deems important). Second best would probably be the schedule of their choice.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

the only problem I have with rewards for tenure is that not all tenured nurses deserve rewards. Maybe they stuck around because no one made them leave and it was easier to stay put. I am more in favor of rewarding service, regardless of how long the person has been employed.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

the only problem I have with rewards for tenure is that not all tenured nurses deserve rewards. Maybe they stuck around because no one made them leave and it was easier to stay put. I am more in favor of rewarding service, regardless of how long the person has been employed.

I hear what you're saying, but I have a problem. Rewarding service is soooooooo subjective. Age/race/sex/socio-economic/ even religious beliefs influence how we judge people. Even when we aren't aware it's happening. Tenure may not be the best way, but it is the most dependable way to reward service.

I did not mean to get off topic.

[merlee]

Financial reward is always nice. Many places reward long-time employees in different ways.

But pieces of paper and newsletter recognition are not something that we can take to the bank! I like the idea of dedicated parking spaces.

I worked in another business where we had to 'bid' for our schedules. And seniority was all that mattered for your place in line. That would be appropriate for nursing, too.

But we all like money!!