This presentation will describe the partnership between an academic organization and a Magnet® Hospital in the development and implementation of an innovative program to improve job enjoyment and intent to stay in operating room nurses through the implementation of a meaningful recognition program.
Low job enjoyment contributes to nurses leaving their units, their organizations and even the profession. According to the literature, establishing healthy work environments (HWE) improves nurse satisfaction, nurse retention and quality patient outcomes. Meaningful Recognition is an important component of a HWE. The demand for operating room (OR) nurses is increasing approximately 1% to 2% each year in the United States and it is estimated that 20% of those currently employed in the OR will retire in the next 5 years. Healthcare organizations are challenged to meet the numbers and experience needed to provide quality care in the OR and other settings. Strategies to strengthen work environments to improve nurse satisfaction and retention are a priority in healthcare.
A process improvement team (PIT), made up of staff and leadership, identified the issues impacting job enjoyment in their OR. The Healthy Work Environment (HWE) framework, made up of six components, Skilled Communication, True Collaboration, Effective Decision Making, Appropriate Staffing, Authentic Leadership and Meaningful Recognition, was used to assess gaps and determine solutions. This team identified a lack of meaningful recognition (MR), as an opportunity for improvement and the most cost effective to address, as a first step. The team assessed system weaknesses and strategies to strengthen practices of recognition for OR Nurses and staff. Outcomes were measured using scales from the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators.
This presentation will provide awareness and strategies in the application of an evidence-based program of meaningful recognition. The outcomes regarding the impact on job satisfaction/enjoyment of operating room nurses will be discussed as well as the structures and processes needed to support and sustain organizations in creating healthy work environments applicable in all practice settings.