What would make you happy?...employee satisfaction

luvkitties · Aug 25, 2006

I've been asked to sit on the employee satisfaction committee at the hospital where I work, and I'd just like to get an idea of some of the measures taken by other facilities around the country re: ways of improving employee morale. Not the obvious (more money, better benefits, better ratios), but other things your hospital/LTC/etc does (or that you wish it did) to make you happier at work. TIA!

Well, I always appreciate it when my facility recognizes us for CNA week...one year, we each got a bottle of hand lotion from a very nice place, the nurses made snacks for us, etc. Basically, anything that lets people know that their hard work and efforts are appreciated. Just my :twocents:

Trauma Columnist · Aug 25, 2006

I have worked at several hospitals and it always helps me to take ownership of my workplace. This can come from shared governance committees or from within me when I feel stagnant. For me, that is the most important thing - to feel I have a use or purpose.

Otessa, BSN, RN · Aug 26, 2006

That I am listened to and my ideas have importance enough at least to be considered.

wjf00 · Aug 26, 2006

No Floating!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Aug 26, 2006

Too bad we don't have an employee satisfaction committee (it's been suggested several times and shot down).

Reasonable nurse-pt. ratios that are based on acuity rather than amt. of pts. (not asking for better)

A nice covered area outside where people can go outside on their lunch break.

A GC for a local uniform or shoe shop.

A stethoscope rep to come in and refurbish nurses' steths.

Decent pens in office supply. The ones we get now write like crap.

A locker that's bigger than a Sucrets box.

Decent parking.

HARRN2b · Aug 26, 2006

Little things can make a huge difference. Something as simple as onsite childcare for those of us with small children, Sure we are willing to pay, but it makes life much simpler. The most perfect scenario would be for nurses working overnight to have sleeping arrangements for their children on site. No worries about the little ones, and less stress for the nurse. I am sure some would go for it. May even bring the mothers back into the work force. Do not know if it would ever be a feasible, but just a thought!

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Aug 26, 2006

Lower ratio; better pay. . . . I know, I know. . . .

Something they do on the unit I work that I really do appreciate even though I thought it was completely corny when I first started there. We have a "Spirit" committee. They organize, bring in snacks once a month; such as ice cream sandwiches; cake; cookies; chips & dip; ice cream sundaes. Something simple but it really does brighten our shift.

The spirit committee is also responsible for sending flowers & cards to those with significant family events; deaths, births, marriage. I was really moved when I got a basket of mums and a card signed by my manager after my grandmother's death.

They also stock a great snack cabinet for us including sodas much cheaper than can be bought from the vending machines. They use the proceeds (everything is very reasonably priced) to help fund the activities such as the flowers and snacks.

I really appreciate our spirit committee!

workingforskies · Aug 26, 2006

The Hand lotion gift that was mentioned made me chuckle because the male nurses I have worked with are rarely taken into consideration when the gifts are handed out. ("Here John, happy nurses week. Here's your minibasket of hand lotion and lavender bath oil" :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: ) One of these days it will be pay back time and those baskets will be filled with beef jerky and fishing lures!

As far as those committies go, sadly, it has been my experience that suggesting anything meaningful, (i.e., would cost money), and your only satisifaction will be that it is considered.

MQ Edna · Aug 26, 2006

A break room that is comfortable, clean and roomy. Our break room is a 15 x 15 foot room with a galley kitchenette (complete with faucet that leaks, filthy microwave and a refrigerator that is always full of old smelly food others have forgotten about), a round table with broken legs that are uneven, 2 chairs with upholstery that is torn to shreds (literally) and a sectional vinyl sofa that has rips and tears on every seat. It's depressing to sit in there to eat lunch, but you're lucky to get 30 minutes to sit down and eat so going to the cafeteria or outside is usually not an option.

It would also be nice if housekeeping would do a thorough job of cleaning the break room, at least more than wiping down the counter and emptying the trash. At my husband's workplace (not a hospital) the housekeeping empties the fridge every Friday evening and cleans it completely out, employees are informed that anything left in the fridge on Friday evening will be thrown away (no exceptions). I think something like that needs to be done in hospital break rooms as well. I have seen the fridge occassionally cleaned out by nurses and CTA's (who sacrifice the time and energy to do it) and within a week it is a mess again. We have posted signs for people to be considerate and pick up after themselves, but it doesn't work.

Maybe this is just me, but another thing that would make me very happy would be some way/system to get staff to be on time for report so the off going nurses can get home after a long tiring shift. It just amazes me that so many nurses (who know what it's like to be tired and ready to go home after working on the floor) seem to be oblivious about this very same thing when coming on fresh for a new shift. I think it's wrong for nurses to show up consistently late for report with coffee in hand bright/cheery and ready to talk about all sorts of things, show baby/wedding pictures etc., during report time, while their off going co-workers are just dying to give a succinct report and get out of there. Some way to have timely, succinct report would make me very happy. Then everyone is free to engage in chat and socialization if they want to, or to get right home too!

vamedic4, EMT-P · Aug 26, 2006

That I am listened to and my ideas have importance enough at least to be considered.

:yeahthat:

For management to actually LISTEN if they want to know how things can be improved.

bethin · Aug 26, 2006

Management that is accessible to nurses. Very often in our facility either management works half days, have no clue what happens on the floor and they don't stick up for staff. Staffing that looks at pt acuity, NOT the amt of pts.

A big thank you would be nice also.