Shift Change Coaching Caring Series

     Last month we brought you the introduction article to the caring series. The NC Nurses Association’s new vision for NC nurses is “Caring for others, Caring for each other and Caring for ourselves.”  Shift Change Coaching is taking part in creating and implementing this vision.   We teach you what caring is really about!

     Nurses are here to make a difference. We normally put everyone else in our lives first because we are the ultimate caregivers.  Why then, do we often fail to support our fellow nursing colleagues, or worse, try to sabotage their efforts?  Reports of bullying in the workplace and lack of conflict resolution are only two of the areas where nurses fail to be there for each.  The culture must change to promote the nursing profession, the organizations they work for and support nurses to shift from merely surviving to thriving.  Nurses lash out at others because their own needs are not met.  We’ll address the unmet needs in next month’s “Caring for Ourselves” article.

      What happens when nurses fail to care for each other?  Quality of patient care and job performance suffers as nurses show up distracted and often fearful of retribution or simply lack of support on the job.  Callouts increase due to increased job stress and resulting health problems.  Patient satisfaction scores plummet as nurses come to work lacking the ability to perform at their best.

     The North Carolina Nurses Association Hallmarks of Healthy Workplaces Recognition Program emphasizes the importance of caring for each other in several of their criteria including: new employee orientation, mentoring, facilitating understanding and respect among co-workers, collaboration among all disciplines, zero tolerance of employee abuse, employee turnover rate and promoting employee health and well-being. 

      If you are striving to achieve Hallmark status here in NC or providing new employee orientation, organizations can set the tone of  “caring for each other” by teaching nurses Shift Change Coaching’s Six Keys to Nursing Success. When the nurse can step out of the “one up role” to equal partnership, they care for each other. By practicing self-care before nursing care, nurses have reserves to support their colleagues. When nurses successfully establish boundaries and experiences work/life balance their attitude becomes one of camaraderie. Living their passion enables nurses to find the best fit and to cooperate with their associates. It is important for nurses to know their values and to work in organizations and departments who have shared values.

     Problem arise when nurses forget to care for each other and themselves in addition to caring for others.  One of the frequent results of only caring for others is low morale.  Nurses lose the passion for what they love and the energy to continue in the nursing profession.  The Shift Change Coaching Group’s solution to improving morale focuses on the intrinsic needs of nurses.  First, we coach nurses to understand and control fear by creating awareness and strategies to shift from a fearful mindset to one of purposeful awareness and positive action.  Fear paralyzes, action moves us forward.  In addition, we help nurses shift in other areas to build a strong foundation for this action.  One of the keys to making this shift is going from selflessness to self-care. The next step is to reconnect with their passion and purpose in life.  Continuing, we explore work/life balance and design strategies to embrace balance. Finally, through appreciative inquiry, we empower nurses to see and focus on the positive aspects of work and life.  By shifting their thinking and building a firm foundation, nurses are better able to care for others and thrive.  This enables them to be the happy nurses that create the happy patients and a successful organization. 

     Happy nurses pay attention to the patients’ and workplace needs and “go the extra mile”.  Low morale is expensive due to decreased productivity, high turnover, and increased time wasted in gossip and complaining.  By addressing the nurses’ intrinsic needs, the obstacles of fear, low productivity and high turnover are alleviated. By implementing the keys to improving morale, nurses and their organizations flourish – even in times of crisis. Nurses must be empowered to give the best care to others by giving them the permission and the tools to first care for themselves and each other. 

     We hope you have found value in this month’s commentary on caring. Next month we will bring you the second article in our series on CARING, “Caring for Ourselves.” 

Best regards,

Merrily Sable, RN, BSN and Betsy Smith, PhD

Hire the Shift Change Coaching Group to train you and your staff in the Six Keys to On Fire Leadership and the Six Keys to Nursing Success. Build the foundation to promote excellence in your leadership and that of your organization. Convenient teleclass (conference line calls) or in-person speaking or workshop formats are available. Schedule now as our remaining 2010 is filling up fast!

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