Staff turnover

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Med/Surg.

I am currently working in a large hospital on a very busy Med/Surg floor. I have been a nurse for 4 1/2 years and have been at this hospital for 9 months. Since working there I have seen 9 nurses leave. I have no intention of leaving myself but my question is how do you stay motivated when things seem to be falling apart around you? Everyone is very negative and unhappy. We are always short staffed, the acuity of our patients is very high and we have a non-confrontational manager. There are currently 4 more nurses planning to leave. I'm feeling very discouraged.

13 nurses.. leaving in a 9 month time span? Staying motivated should not be the concern, assessing the reason for the mass exodus IS.

Specializes in Med/Surg.

True, but it's not my problem to assess. Management is aware of why people are unhappy but nothing changes. I don't agree that the grass is always greener somewhere else so I choose to stay and am trying to find ways to stay motivated to do that.

Specializes in Pediatric.

Oh that's nothing. We've had nine nurses leave this summer.

True, but it's not my problem to assess. Management is aware of why people are unhappy but nothing changes. I don't agree that the grass is always greener somewhere else so I choose to stay and am trying to find ways to stay motivated to do that.

Your unit's problem is YOUR problem. Whatever is making so many nurses leave... is a major concern.

Certainly the grass is not always greener.. but YOUR grass is on fire. Feel free to stay.. but if 13 other nurses couldn't find the motivation... I can't tell you where to look.

Best of luck with that.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
True, but it's not my problem to assess. Management is aware of why people are unhappy but nothing changes. I don't agree that the grass is always greener somewhere else so I choose to stay and am trying to find ways to stay motivated to do that.

Why isn't it your problem to address?

What steps have you taken to attempt to improve the morale? Are there issues that nurses can come up with as solutions, produce them to management and put to work?

Is it because management is saying NO, and in turn it makes it more difficult.

I know I don't work in Med/Surg if you look at my profile; however I work in a high turnover area and it is EXTREMELY high turnover in terms of that we lost 40 percent of experienced nurses; there were shifts where the charge nurse was the ONLY experienced nurse.

I became involved because I didn't want people to leave; less people are leaving, although more are cutting back hours, but not entirely leaving; only one newbie left, and the rest who are knew seem in to win it-for now...and that is including myself; although I have worked in worse situations that where I work at PALES in comparison of all the crappy places I worked-and that is saying A LOT.

Some people know all what they know, and will leave and eventually come back when they realize most place have their own crap; and with the corporate conglomerate joining each other to make larger health systems, it's going to get less likely to vote with one's feet if they choose to do hospital nursing.

Hence why I became involved with assisting with establishing a union, on the bargaining committee, and in turn, I participate in the unit committee as well to address hospital wide issues and nut specific issues; I am actively involved because I saw many talented nurses that nurture me leave; I understand some HAVE to leave, but if I can ensure that my team can see that I have their back, want fairness and want to make this a comfortable place to work despite their challenges and can STaY in some form; I've done the best I could. :yes:

Are you satisfied with where you work? What is it exactly that is keeping you there when others leave? If you are unhappy and could find a better job, would you leave too?

I am a long term survivor in my unit. The turnover is moderate, but usually for reasons like going to CRNA school, finishing NP school and getting a job, becoming a travel nurse, and other reasons that have little to do with poor conditions.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

That you're concerned enough to tell a bunch of strangers about all this----and so many have left in short time IS *your problem*. If you are stressed out and unhappy, it's on you to change it. And by that, I mean, change jobs. Toxic workplaces can't be changed by any one person.

Specializes in PCCN.

lol , I think that's the trend.

Exact situation where I am. I'd say 60 percent of the staff now has less than 5 years( more like 2 or 3) years nursing experience. they are hire 4 new grads for a stepdown floor. LOLOL.

We just lost two to unplanned retirement- they couldnt take it anymore. Luckily for them they COULD retire.

Some have been smart and moved on to NP.

I wish I could move on- and hope to someday. And get out of nursing all together. Because it is a joke the way we are treated.

Specializes in Emergency Nursing, Pediatrics.

It's your problem if you're posting on an internet forum asking for suggestions to help you cope with it..

Specializes in Med/Surg.

It is a managers problem to fix when all of their staff are leaving. We know what the problems are and have made them aware but they are not fixing it. I'm not unhappy there nor have I said that I was. I am sad and discouraged that so many good nurses are leaving. I'm trying to stay positive among so much negativity. This is a forum to discuss these things among peers but not to get slammed with judgements. Maybe we should all just post about rainbows and unicorns?

It is a managers problem to fix when all of their staff are leaving. We know what the problems are and have made them aware but they are not fixing it. I'm not unhappy there nor have I said that I was. I am sad and discouraged that so many good nurses are leaving. I'm trying to stay positive among so much negativity. This is a forum to discuss these things among peers but not to get slammed with judgements. Maybe we should all just post about rainbows and unicorns?

I did not see judgement, I saw concern for your current situation.

if you want to stay positive in that environment.. visualize rainbows and unicorns.. THAT oughta do it!

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