NURSING IN TRANSITION
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Enhance Awareness and Availability of Workplace Violence Prevention
Twenty-nine percent of nurses said they are not aware of workplace violence prevention programs at their facilities, while an additional 17% are unsure if such programs are available where they work. It therefore is important to proactively communicate, reinforce, and train staff on safety protocols, ensuring nurses feel supported and protected in their work environment, and to promote workplace violence programs so that nurses are aware of them.
Expand Mental Therapy Programs and Encourage PTO
Only 13% of nurses identified therapy with a mental health professional as a key to reducing job related stress. Nurse employers should consider expanding mental health services beyond sessions with a therapist, by offering diverse resources such as peer support groups, resilience training, and stress management workshops, to meet nurses where they are. Nurses rated vacations as their primary method of addressing job related stress, yet many nurses struggle to take time off due to staffing challenges. Employers therefore should institute policies that make it easier for nurses to take PTO without guilt or staffing repercussions.
These actions, taken individually or in concert, are intended to improve the daily work experience of nurses, by giving them more schedule flexibility, a better work/life balance and more control over how, when and where they work. By enhancing the work environment, these and other steps nurse leaders and other executives may deem appropriate can both help retain current members of the nursing staff and attract new nurses to the facility.
AMNHealthcare.com
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