What Makes an ED Nurse Satisfied?

[Veldtor]

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.

[OldDude]

Chronic nurse staffing shortage finally drove me away from the busy pedi ER where I worked nights. We worked 3 nurses on many a shift - ridiculous and unsafe. I had "safe harbor' paperwork printed and ready to sign in my locker.

Second on the list was replacing equipment; the hospital could re-surface an entire floor and paint murals on the walls but couldn't replace a defective tympanic thermometer.

Third...the ED manager NEVER showed his face in the department during my two years there - NEVER. He could have been managing the ED from home in his underwear from the Bahamas and been just as effective as far as we were concerned.

I'm not against the personal recognition ideas. Those can only enhance moral - after the core necessities are accomplished to run a staffed, stocked, and safe ED.

Good luck on your council position. Let us know how it goes!!