A little-known fact to many from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN): Nursing is the U.S.’ largest healthcare profession, with more than four million registered nurses (RNs) nationwide. Furthermore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the employment of registered nurses to grow six percent within the next decade, with more than 200,000 openings projected each year. And, with the median age of nurses hovering above 50, a seismic shift is looming on the horizon on the composition of the current workforce.
Here’s what stands out from these findings:
- Nurses are critical to the well-being of our nation.
- The industry must build an environment current and future nurses want to be a part of.
- Ushering in the next generation of nursing leadership is a top priority.
This Nurse’s Month, we must focus on three critical elements for the nursing community: Build, nurture, and lead.
Support Nurses with Micro-resiliency Initiatives That Promote Wellness
Resiliency across health care shot to prominence during the pandemic. It remains at the forefront of workplace discussions. Outside-of-work activities that once happened organically, such as paint class or interactions in casual settings, came to a halt because of the pandemic. It shone a bright light on the importance of wellness. This year, healthcare organizations must formalize resiliency programs and initiatives, both small and large scale.
Here are two examples. We launched “Heart Carts” on all units, offering resilience activities and wellness support throughout the day. This cart contains self-care products such as lotions, reading materials to take minds off work or take a few minutes to laugh, and more. Following a prolonged engagement or difficult situation, helping nurses find their center and focus on themselves is the priority.
In addition, we support resiliency retreats for team members across the organization. Retreats carve out time for collaborating and connecting. Retreats also formalize initiatives focused on wellness, strategic planning on building resiliency, and aligning goal setting in a relaxed environment.
Implement Programs to Reenergize Nursing and Spur Professional Development
According to findings from a proprietary research study, nurses feel they can renew or reenergize when they can serve outside of the hospital and in the community, whether locally or abroad. The study showed it brought joy, focus, and energy back to their daily work. I can attest to this first-hand. I worked in India, Guatemala, and Brazil and have supported disaster response in Haiti. It validated my path as a nurse and gave me a fresh perspective and renewed energy, a new understanding of diverse patients and families, and innovative experiences in teaching others.
In the U.S., we are resource-rich. While sometimes it goes unfelt, working in different environments abroad reminds us of what we have. From a professional development perspective, community and global work teach new ways of thinking. Nurses are put in situations where they need to think outside the box on how care is delivered, how to best approach a situation, and how to maximize limited resources.
Embrace the Joys of Mentorship That are Critical to Our Nation’s Nursing Future
The workforce is — and will continue — to undergo an evolution as experienced nurses leave the field. As a result, developing and mentoring nursing leaders will be critical to our industry’s future. But, again, speaking from experience, I and the nurses I know around the nation love mentoring. It’s one of the elements we cherish as diverse, talented, and eager nurses enter our field.
In 2023, nursing leaders should focus on allyship. And as an added benefit to both professional and organizational growth, mentorship exposures you to different roles within nursing. Understanding nuances within different nursing specialties gives insight that can be fed back into the organization. Organizations willing to listen and apply those learnings will find a nursing pipeline brimming with talent.
Bonus Points: Listen to Nurses and, When Things Work, Standardize That Practice
In an ever-changing environment, organizations must be bold in accelerating the implementation of new evidence-based practice standards. Not only does this recognize nursing intelligence, but it also improves workflows across the nursing landscape, which promotes efficiencies, optimizations, and better outcomes. For example, The Ferrari Method of Practice Standardization weaves evidence-based practice, lean methodologies, and shared decision-making to provide extraordinary care for patients and families.
A key element of health promotion is based on creating educational material with a clear understanding. Our Office of Patient/Family Education & Health Literacy, led by a nurse, reached new readability levels from 28% to 92% of documents at or below the 8th-grade level. This health literacy review standard for the organization has resulted in a strong partnership with family-centered care, translation services, and marketing and scales across every service line. Seeing that recognition and fulfillment inspires nurses, the effect is felt across the organization.
Nurses make a world of difference when it comes to patient care. Make sure they can do so to the best of their ability by formalizing resiliency, wellness, professional growth, and mentorship programs.
