What Makes an ED Nurse Satisfied?

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Specializes in CEN, TCRN.

I am happy to say that I was recently voted in as one Co-chairs to the ED nursing council at our hospital. I am very excited to be starting this position and want to hit the ground running. We are always looking for new ways to improve our nurses satisfaction and our patient's satisfaction, but this month we are running a little dry on ideas..

Besides pay raises, more staff, and a bigger ED, what are things your ED does to keep you satisfied as a nurse?

For example, one of the councils projects was to implement a "Hydration Station" for the RNs. A convenient place in department that nurses could adhere to JCAHO, but still have easy access to their drinks.

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I am happy to say that I was recently voted in as one Co-chairs to the ED nursing council at our hospital. I am very excited to be starting this position and want to hit the ground running. We are always looking for new ways to improve our nurses satisfaction and our patient's satisfaction, but this month we are running a little dry on ideas..

Besides pay raises, more staff, and a bigger ED, what are things your ED does to keep you satisfied as a nurse?

For example, one of the councils projects was to implement a "Hydration Station" for the RNs. A convenient place in department that nurses could adhere to JCAHO, but still have easy access to their drinks.

Better cafeteria? Haha

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Specializes in CEN, TCRN.
Better cafeteria? Haha

Lol definitely out of my control, but 100% needed! ������

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I have always found that peer recognition tends to work well - for example, Sally submits a note into a collection box somewhere that says Fred did a great job watching her two psych patients when one of her other patients went into respiratory failure. The notes are collected periodically and posted where staff can see them. There were thoughts that it might turn into a popularity contest, but it didn't.

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I would feel positive about a variety of endeavors, as long as they aren't a substitute for general respect.

Admittedly, I'm not much of one for isolated acts or promotions aimed at trying to make people feel a certain way. What makes me feel satisfied is anything that further enables excellent patient care. Rooms being stocked. Equipment in working order. Audits and data collection being kept to a minimum and/or assigned to parties not responsible for patient care. Not talking to (or treating) nurses like they're 5-year-olds while at the same time they retain humongous responsibilities for people's health. Advocating policies that support nurses. Streamlining documentation.

The hydration station is great - but it's an example of an act that (somewhat) rights a wrong that should never have happened in the first place. It was totally childish, unthinking, and unnecessary to ban drinks from day one. KWIM?

Again, I think you will find that nurse satisfaction boils down to general respect.

Maybe you can be a force for good on your Council! :) Spread the word. Start talking about the big picture.

Good luck ~

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Satisfied staff is staff that feels like their opinions are valued. If your department doesn't already have a way for staff to formally submit issues and suggestions about how to improve things for patients and staff then your committee should start a suggestion box of some form. Then, make sure to update the staff on what becomes of their ideas and opinions. Our department does this in a monthly report put out by our ER staff committee andif an idea can't be done it gives the rationale as to why.

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Supplies - I know it's all about the budget, but seriously, we run through so many blood pressure cuffs, EKG electrodes, telemetry electrodes, etc., it's so pointless to not have a huge supply at all times. If anybody is building a new ER, my suggestion would be to have a pass through that connects the ER to distribution and allow ER staff access at all times.

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I am happy to say that I was recently voted in as one Co-chairs to the ED nursing council at our hospital. I am very excited to be starting this position and want to hit the ground running. We are always looking for new ways to improve our nurses satisfaction and our patient's satisfaction, but this month we are running a little dry on ideas..

Besides pay raises, more staff, and a bigger ED, what are things your ED does to keep you satisfied as a nurse?

For example, one of the councils projects was to implement a "Hydration Station" for the RNs. A convenient place in department that nurses could adhere to JCAHO, but still have easy access to their drinks.

So have these 3 issues been looked into being addressed?

They are common issues for a reason.

I am not satisfied as a nurse because we are understaffed, underpaid and need more space. Adding an extra hallway patient to my already assigned 4 rooms (see understaffed and need more space) is frustrating and stressful. Being treated in a way by "clients" that at any other place would receive a call to the police, all while new policy and procedures are being added on a regular basis - such as stroke certifications, cardiac certifications, trauma certifications, pediatric certifications, etc, all of which give the hospital recognition and more income (yet no change in my pay, see not being paid enough) is my concern.

Giving me a place to hide my drink, giving me a pat on the back for doing my job, or any of these tokens will not help.

Fix the problem, not slap a littly KY on.

For patent satisfaction, it should be 1 question.

Did you die?

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Specializes in Family practice, emergency.

An actual, uninterrupted lunch break.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

Let staff know that they are valued by implementing policies (and actually following them) that value staff safety and regard above "the customer is always right".

If management wouldn't tolerate a customer doing something in a restaurant or department store, then hospital management shouldn't look the other way when the ED nurses and other staff are treated that way by patients who are in their right mind and developmentally able to behave themselves.

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In clinical I saw a situation where leadership followed up with ER staff after a rough week. Several children had died, and that takes a heavy toll on everyone involved. The supervisor took a few minutes with the staff members that were most directly involved to make sure they were doing ok, ask them how things were going, or do a mini debrief with them. It didn't take very long, and it wasn't invasive. It was just a chance for the nurses to talk if they wanted to. The nurses seemed to really appreciate it. It seemed like it helped them feel supported and cared for.

One nurse commented that debriefing doesn't always get done, even after rough cases, because of the pace of the ER. Staying in touch with leadership like this also makes nurses feel like they have a voice. It gives them a chance to bring up concerns that they have. Good communication always seems to be a key to staff satisfaction!

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Specializes in ER.

Quotes from patient surveys who specifically mention staff who did well are posted in our department manager's weekly huddle email. When a patient writes a letter to management, or a thank you card for their care, and he/she names specific staff who did an excellent job, our manager gives us a $20 gift card. I feel like I am paid okay (been here 18 years and topped out on pay scale and vacation accrual), but the little cards make me happy.

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