Healthcare

What’s That Elephant Doing in the Hospital Room?

July 8, 2014

The elephant (how poorly RNs are treated) has been in the hospital room for decades. The Nurses’ Stress Survey merely validated what you and I already knew. Nurses are completely stressed out and hospitals are to blame for it.

I’ve been spending all of my time the last few weeks exposing this issue to the public. This is news people want to hear about.

Already this has been written up in the Huffington Post, Houston Business Journal, Medscape Medical News, and many Internet news sites.

I’ve been on national TV with Charles Payne on the FOX Business Network’s Varney & Co. show.

But all the exposure is meaningless unless hospitals stop ignoring this elephant in the room and start taking action to care for their RNs. Hospitals are making the very people who treat patients sick themselves. Here are some ways hospitals can help reduce the dangerous levels of stress and the harsh conditions under which RNs work:

1. Understand How Treatment of RNs Translates with Patient and Corporate
Success… or Failure

Make work hours realistic and humane.
Provide a core staff and also back-up for vacations, sick days, etc. Nurses feel guilty if they do not go in when called. This adds to the stress.
Quit cutting ancillary staff and reassigning those duties to RNs. Nurses should not be expected to clean a patient’s room or clean the ice machine.
Provide a lifting team and/or lift equipment to prevent back injuries. Nurses are high risk for injuries on the job. Risk of injury increases stress.
Provide scheduled breaks and coverage on breaks. A break will only reduce stress if the RN is not worried about what is happening to her patients while on break.
Along with breaks, provide a retreat room on the unit that provides a tranquil space and a massage chair.
Provide access to nutritious meals and snacks.

2. Give RNs a Voice

Stop retaliating against RNs who speak up for patient rights.
Leverage the experience of long-time RNs. These same nurses save lives, but are not empowered with authority to get the job done and have their voice heard.
Set up shared governance and give RNs a seat at the management table. They are professionals and should be governing their own clinical practice like MDs, attorneys and other professionals do.

3. Stop Treating RNs Like a Commodity

Treat RNs with respect. A simple thank you goes a long way. RNs don’t expect extravagant gifts like a Rolex or huge bonuses.
Increase compensation and benefits.
Provide education and training for managers, so they can empower RNs to feel good about their jobs.

4. Treat RNs Like the Heroes They Truly Are

Take a step back and realize and recognize the many miracles RNs produce every day.
Change the culture. Instead of berating nurses, enforce a work environment of mutual trust and respect.

In order to improve our healthcare system for patients, doctors, hospitals AND nurses, it’s clear that reducing the stress levels of nurses should be a national priority.