Staff Meetings: What Are They Good For?

eriksoln, BSN, RN · May 25, 2011

In the last year, I have dutifully attended my staff meetings. Lately however, they seem to have become a forum to chastise the staffs failings, rather than a place of support and information.
Anybody else feel the same?

What are they good for?

They are an assigned task that the managers must complete, and doing them allows them to check off said task. Whether or not they serve any purpose outside of that depends on the manager. Many do use them wisely in order to coordinate ideas and discuss issues for improvement. Others have nothing to say and try to pretend otherwise............................and, well...........you've seen the result.

joanna73, BSN, RN · May 25, 2011

Less than half of the ideas actually get implemented, so I don't know....mainly ours are a b**** session, and mostly a waste of time.

All4NursingRN · May 25, 2011

Just for idle chatter, atleast for our staff meetings

Davey Do · May 25, 2011

They are an assigned task that the managers must complete, and doing them allows them to check off said task.

Again, I say, "Amen!"

Too bad your staff meetings are so negative, steelydanfan. Ours are merely... um, for lack of a better word, I'll say, "stupid".

For example, at a recent staff meeting, one Supervisor commented for 15 minutes on leaving the Hospital grounds to smoke. Number of those present: 24. Number of smokers in that group:1.

Dave

RNforLongTime · May 25, 2011

Well, I'll let you know after the next time we have one in our unit. It's been almost two years!!! The DON/unit leader is 'too busy' to have regular staff meetings with us here in ICU.

Five&Two Will Do · May 25, 2011

I am too tired in the morning to hang around for a staff meeting. I will just read the minutes. It is funny how just by reading it, one can realize that its the SOS over and over again. I realize I was late on documenting a couple of PRN effectivenesses(is that how you say the plural?), but it took 4 of us to keep one patient alive last night so next effing topic. Yeah I better stick to reading about the meetings so I don't get fired LOL!

eriksoln, BSN, RN · May 25, 2011

Well, I'll let you know after the next time we have one in our unit. It's been almost two years!!! The DON/unit leader is 'too busy' to have regular staff meetings with us here in ICU.

What was that old saying? I forget..................it had something to do with Mr. ED I believe.........................

Oh, right, I remember:eek:

"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, even if you are deaf and Mr. Ed is speaking to you."

I added that last part myself:D. You like?

suanna · May 25, 2011

I have had a manager who held very usefull staff meetings. They were well planned and had a good mix of giving information and seeking feedback. The format was the same: How has the unit been doing- statistically, financialy, complications, chronic errors, improvements, and any new policys that would impact our care. Then, any new directives from Mahogany Row- with immidiate discussion about what the implications were for our unit and the hospital as a whole. Finally, she would open the floor for discussion, concerns. No problem was brought up that didn't get attended to- but beware, if you complained that "meal trays seem to come later and later" you might get the task of documenting when the trays arrived, what the patients thought of the timing, when other units trays were delivered to them, and how that affected thier care. Next staff meeting you would present your findings and a " brainstorming" session would be called to see if there was a concensus on what changes could improve out unit practice. Next, an action plan, next re-evaluation of the action plan. The moral of the story is if you don't want to be part of the solution, don't bring up the problem. This wasn't just "busy work" to punish the complainers. The solutions we came up with were tried, evaluated, adjusted, tweeked... We where given ownership of the problem AND THE POWER TO FIND A SOLUTION. Shared governance workes- it just takes a unit manager to have enough faith in the staffs commitment to optimal patient care that they are willing to turn over the problem solving to the nurses with the problem, and back them to the hilt when a solution is found. I came in for those staff meetings on my days off and without pay.

madwife2002, BSN, RN · May 25, 2011

As a manager it is true we have to have staff meetings to comply with state law and I used to detest them as the OP said a lot of negative information can be givenin them.

Recently I changed the format we present the information that the staff have to know, changes, we discuss infection control that nobody adheres to, then we open the floor so everybody can have as say and bring into the room any burning issues or problems they have with the unit.

I also ask what they would like to see me do?

What we all feel now is that the meetings have become more interactive and good ideas of improvement are discussed.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · May 25, 2011

Does anyone else have that song going through their head while they read anything in this post:

"I say HUH..............GOOD GOD WAR..............what is it good for?"

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · May 25, 2011

Dadgummit, erik, you stole my idea. I was going to answer: "Absolutely nothing!" just to be a smart aleck about it.....

....sigh. Thunder stolen. :coollook: