by Kathleen D. Sanford, RN, MA, DBA, FACHE
You don’t necessarily have to spend money to keep spirits up.
The economy—and the extra work and stress—is getting to my staff, and I have no budget for parties or social outings.
Sanford: What means the most to staff is feeling appreciated for their hard work and recognized for the value they bring to patient care. Here are some ways you can recognize your staff when your budget is tighter.
Write a Note
Verbal acknowledgment is good, but a note is even better. Be specific—watch your staff to see what they do that is extraordinary, and mention it in the letter. For example: “I observed the care you provided to Mrs. Jones. Your expertise was very valuable to her and her family as they dealt with her diagnosis and learned about the treatment. Your patients are lucky you chose nursing as your profession.”
This level of detail is much more affecting than a vague statement. Also, be sure to put a copy of the recognition letter in the nurse’s personnel file, and state in the letter that you will be doing so.
Acknowledge Recognition Received
At a hospital where I previously worked, if we received a positive comment about an employee, we sent that person a note that said, “A patient thinks you’re great!” along with a helium balloon. It was inexpensive and fun, and it let other staff know about that employee’s recognition. The staff enjoyed it so much that we expanded it so that staff could acknowledge each other as well.
At other organizations, positive letters received from patients are read aloud at staff meetings. This type of recognition can also help build the morale of other staff members, by making it clear that good work is recognized at your organization.
Nominate People for Awards
Nomination forms for local and national awards come across nursing managers’ desks, but often, our hectic schedules make us forget about them until it is too late. However, we must take advantage of these means to recognize our nurses. For example, consider becoming a participant in the Daisy Award program for extraordinary nurses (www.daisyfoundation.org).
Create Inexpensive Social Activities
While we may not be able to buy lunch for the whole staff, we can still host a potluck meal. Help staff learn more about each other by asking everyone to bring a dish that represents his or her culture. Also consider having a bulletin board display on which staff can post photos of their families, their pets, or themselves as babies. Make a game of it by encouraging staff to identify which photos belong to which employees.
Discuss Results
Perhaps your quality statistics have improved, infection rates have declined, or patient satisfaction has risen. Be sure to publicize any positive results and note the magnitude of those accomplishments in this difficult time.
Kathleen D. Sanford, RN, MA, DBA, FACHE, is past president of the board of directors of AONE and senior vice president and chief nursing officer of Catholic Health Initiatives. Do you have a question for Kathleen? Send it to kathyaone06@yahoo.com.