Description/Overview: Purpose: Financial conditions, healthcare reform, changing needs of staff and increasing patient demands are spurring significant and massive changes in hospitals. These stressors often lead to a negative culture characterized by poor performance, increased conflict, and low satisfaction levels. This presentation will tell the story of how one department at a major academic medical center was struggling to cope with lateral violence, insubordination, and a hostile work environment. Learning to use 6 Positive Psychology principles over 1 year they were able to totally transform the culture on their units and became a top ranked staff in the institution. Methods: This study used a non-linear coaching methodology rather than traditional training to achieve a “tipping point” in the workplace culture, resulting permanent and pervasive improvements. Specific positive psychology coaching methods will be described for improving and sustaining (for over 3 years) people’s passion, positive relationships, optimistic attitudes, proactive use of strengths, personal well-being, and commitment to making a difference in others lives. Results: Independent pre and post implementation surveys conducted by Health Stream Research found that job engagement increased 87%, staff satisfaction rose 85%, and RN retention rose 50%. Press Ganey patient satisfaction scores increased 43%, patient safety measures rose 22%, and NDNQI scores were elevated by 14 – 22%. Gallup Q12 scores soared, with 5 questions achieving the highest possible ratings. Use of sick leave, FMLA, call out/call in all dropped 75%. The hospital calculated the annual cost savings to be over $816,000. Conclusion: Looming health care reform measures, significant financial pressures, a shortage of doctors and nurses, and a rapidly aging patient population are causing significant stress for leadership and staff, which can contaminate the culture and degrade performance. This study offers evidence that rapid and profound improvements in performance are possible using 6 principles developed from positive psychology research.

Learner Objective #1: Identify 6 principles of positive psychology proven to create and sustain (for 3+ years) a healthier, happier, and higher performing work environment.

Learner Objective #2: Understand how coaching practices teach positive psychology principles by creating a non-linear learning environment that leads to quantum improvement in performance and satisfaction levels