The nursing shortage is a significant concern, with one million nurses expected to be needed by 2030. It has never been more crucial to retain nurses than it is today. As a nurse manager, you can have a significant impact on nurse retention. You can do this with open communication, offering career development opportunities, demonstrating effective leadership and staffing management. You can impact nurse retention by creating an environment that encourages it.
Communication
Poor communication can lead to preventable medical errors, nurse turnover, and low morale, which in turn can lead to low job satisfaction. Communication between a nurse manager and a nurse must be two-way. Nurse managers cannot expect to give instructions without explanation and expect immediate results. Communication must be open and continuous. When nurses offer input and are a part of the decision-making process, they feel valued, giving them a sense of autonomy. Additionally, by establishing relationships with employees, nurse managers demonstrate they have an interest in the nurse.
Ensure nurses have outlets for voicing their concerns to reduce frustration and dissatisfaction. Nurse managers need to be accessible and available and demonstrate a sincere interest in their staff. They should use active listening skills, establish positive body language, and try to avoid negative messages.
Leadership
As a nurse manager, you are a role model for nurses. You need to be visible and accessible to your team. Although promoting best care practices is good, it is not enough. Nurses need to see and interact with you. Lead by example with the high patient standards you expect from your staff. You are also an advocate for nurses and fair staffing practices. You provide the needed resources and equipment for them to do a professional job. By providing strong leadership and being an advocate, not only will you gain their respect, but it will also help to retain them.
Staffing Levels
All nurses want a patient load that they can manage safely. Managers can use data to predict patient volume, which can help them prepare an adequate number of nurses. Managers can also take a proactive approach and create plans to address staffing gaps and even cross-train staff for extra coverage during times of high acuity.
Professional Development
Nurse managers who invest in their nurses’ professional development witness increased job satisfaction and lower turnover rates among their teams. Managers can do this by giving time, funds, and resources. Nurses can pursue certifications, specialty training, and internal promotions.
Job Satisfaction
Perhaps the most effective way for nurse managers to retain nurses is to check in on their staff, gauge possible burnout, and assess their teams’ stress levels. Managers can suggest mental health resources and encourage self-care among their team.
Retention of nurses is possible. A nurse manager can help nurses improve retention by fostering open communication, providing leadership, ensuring safe staffing levels, supporting professional development, and prioritizing job satisfaction.
ADN Healthcare is a staffing partner you can trust. The team at ADN Healthcare can handle all of the candidate sourcing, credentialing, and travel arrangements for your organization to provide talented professionals who can provide quality healthcare for your patients.
