Make Nurses Happy, Some Hospitals Say

Spread the word! Do not be afraid to speak up. Where I work I do speak up and have been punished multiple times, but ya know, I sleep well. I may not have a job the next time I come into work, but little by little we have to make a difference. My facility's last blunder was telling the weekend option staff that they were not going to pay overtime if you picked up shifts during the week and totaled more than 40 hours per week. They told us our weekend differential (that is time and 1/2) was overtime so unless we worked more than 64 hours a week they would not pay the overtime for hours worked over 40. After calls to wage and labor ( they really think we are stupid) they withdrew that plan to take pay out of our pockets. Anyone out their with a weekend opton conntract, let me know please!

Awesome article. I particularly like the idea of " into the blue" program. I also like the fact that they acknowledge the fact that people have a myriad of personalities and character difference and flaws and it take time and effort to get to really know someone. I enjoy reading this article. Nursing as a profession has come a long way as far as a profession. We need more work and this hospital is on to something. Nurses on a whole values when someone looks out for them and their family. This is indeed worth far more than retention bonues.

The cards and flowers are thoughtful. I once worked in a hospital (as a Candy Striper, then a CNA) that provided meals for the staff who worked holidays. The meals were special: turkey, roast beef, etc. They even fed the Pink Ladies and Candy Stripers who volunteered on Holidays. The nurses were most encouraging to a young student nurse. The care my parents received at the same hospital 30 years later reflected that the same caring philosophy was in place. The nurses I had known had retired, as I found out when asking about specific people. Sufficient working equipment and adequate staff to properly care fr the clients is paramount importance.

all I want is equipment that works (and I can FIND it). Enough nurses to do our job the way it was meant to be done, and compensation for the extremely hard PROFESSIONAL work that we do. They can take their cards & flowers & save their money for the important things.

I work in the Administrative Offices of a public health facility. This is a very good article, very creative ideas. Love it! I especially like the comments made by (you) nurses. Nice to hear a different perspective. In public health, we have much less resources and a budget that barely meets demand. It is nice to hear about what really appeals to you. i have forwarded this link to all of the Division Managers because I think this will give them insight to what we might possibly do differently. It is so hard attracting clients to work in Public Health. We are in dire need of Public Health Nurses.

I beleive management need to be able to look at all of us as humans , show a little respect, and maybea pat on the back a little more often. Signings bonuses are nice , but I feel a good thank you can go along way. They just need to make us feel appreciated.

As with most of you, a card on my birthday means little as do flowers. Making it easier for me to deal with the daily stress we all encounter and giving me a positive work environment, those are the perks we all would appreciate. I work for public health and although we have our problems, the reason I have stayed at my present job for 11 years is the family atmosphere our health district has always tried to promote. We encourage each other, we grieve with each other and we stand together. My work takes up a large chunk of my life, therefore many of my friends are work friends. These men and women have been instrumental in my sucess. They have had my back. I had theirs. I could never put a price tag on the advice and encouragement I have received. I have raised a daughter, survived bumps in my marriage, faced losing both parents, going back to school and so many day to day obstacles with these people. Our relationships at work can either enrich or sour our lives. A company that encourages us to enrich our lives and relationships will always have loyal employees. Finally someone has an idea that works!