Staff Morale in a Health Care Setting

Saturday, 16 November 2013

Kristy Lynn Mills, BScN
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fraser Health, Abbotsford, BC, Canada

Learning Objective 1: The learner will understand the definition and effects of morale in the Health Care environment

Learning Objective 2: The learner will describe the role of leaders in creating and sustaining in collaboration with physicians and staff a positive work environment in healthcare.

Morale can be complex and locally based so it is difficult to define and identify the underlying issues. Morale problems and solutions are not universal so it can be very difficult to put a blanket approach to morale across a profession or workgroup; particularly in health care. This project focused on two approaches to Morale: intrinsic factors and extrinsic factors related to the culture of an acute health care setting. Direct nursing managers were identified as key influencers in this project.  Supporting the formal leadership role for creating and sustaining a positive work environment in collaboration with physicians and staff was also identified necessary for success.