Positive practice environments…mandate for the global nursing workforce

Ann Marie T. BrooksSharon M. Weinstein

Sheila A. Ryan

Objectives

• Discuss impact of positive practice work environment on recruitment and retention

• Describe the global international labor market and effect on health outcomes

• Identify best practices in developing intercultural workplaces

What are Positive Practice Environments?

• They strive to ensure the health, safety and personal well-being of staff, support quality patient care and improve the motivation, productivity and performance of individuals and organizations (ICN)

"We shape our buildings. Thereafter, our buildings shape us."- Winston Churchill, 1941

Effects of unhealthy work setting• A disconnect between

the work demanded of nurses and what they can provide

• In studies, 41% of hospital nurses were dissatisfied with their jobs and 22% planned to leave them in less than one year

• Increased sick time, conflict, job dissatisfaction, turnover, and inefficiency •Slower reaction times, adverse risks•High turnover•Low morale

Thinking Green

AACN - Six Standards

• Skilled communication• True collaboration• Effective decision making• Appropriate staffing• Meaningful recognition• Authentic leadership

What will it take?

• Commitment• Resources• Leadership• Resilience• Partnership• Collaboration

Translating ideas into action• Major Stakeholders * Major Beneficiaries___________________________________________________• Organizational leaders * Patients, families• Nursing Leaders * Organization and its employees • Unit Leaders * Community including nursing• Nursing Education• Staff Nurses• Physicians • Healthcare Team Members• Other Employees

Positive Work Environments

• Resources for employees to do their job• Meaningful performance evaluations• On-going dialogue with supervisors• Peer evaluations• Commitment to continual improvement• Ability to adjust and adapt to change• Courage to challenge the system

Best Practices • Evidence based • Enriches patient care• Interdisciplinary• Sustainable• Data driven• Relevant to care model

WHAT SHOULD I DO?LeadersFocus on more on meaningful priorities and less on

activity to produce successful resultsManagers Guide employees to action to help them move through

their fear of changeDirect Care NursesBe a continuous learner and passionate about doing

the right things for the right reasons

Resources• Weinstein, Sharon M. (2009), B is for Balance...a guide

to creating balance at home and at work, STTI, Indianapolis, IN.

• Weinstein, Sharon M. (2010) in development. Workplace Wellness

• http://www.aone.org/aone/about/pdfs/20082010AONEStratPlanFinal.pdf. American Organization of Nurse Executives Strategic Plan

• http://www.icn.ch/PR09_07.htm. ICN Announcement; ICN Calls for Positive Practice Environments to Ensure Quality Patient Care