Wave your magic wand!
What does the ideal workplace look like to you? What would you change to make the work environment the absolute best? Would you say that your team is civil to one another? Are you working in a healthy environment? How are you contributing to the environment?
We all have thoughts and ideas on the perfect workplace. Hopefully you have experienced fantastic places and leaders to work with. The reality is that not everyone has a positive story to share. As a leader, you have the power, and responsibility, to make it happen.
So, what can you do? We know that the work environment plays a crucial role in the well-being of our staff, patients and ourselves. A positive culture creates a healthy and civil workplace and improves outcomes. Healthcare is a high stress environment (of course, you know this!) and often we add to the stress by allowing poor environments to fester.
It is important to understand the meaning of a healthy workplace and civility.
A healthy workplace is one that prioritizes the well-being of its employees through safe working conditions, mental health support and open communication. Civility refers to respectful interactions among staff members. This is characterized by professionalism, courtesy in absence of bullying, harassment and disruptive behavior.
The importance of a civil workplace cannot be overstated. Nurses work in high pressure environments where life and death situations are routine. A hostile or disrespectful workplace can increase stress levels leading to burnout, lower job satisfaction and higher turnover rates. Employees experiencing rude behavior report being less committed, their performance declines and call outs increase. In contrast, a supportive environment can help nurses feel valued and maintain a higher level of job engagement and performance.
There is also a real problem with workplace violence against staff. I am not referring to that, but rather, the environment that we as leaders create and allow. Do your staff feel supported, valued, and heard?
What are some of the key benefits of a healthy workforce?
- Happy staff
- Staff who want to come to work, lower absenteeism rates
- Improved productivity and learning
- Increased staff engagement
- Healthier staff
- Happy patients
- Improved patient outcomes
- Improved hospital image
- Because stress levels are lower, we look younger!
What are some strategies for creating a civil workplace?
- Foster open communication – we communicate all day long and we often fall flat on our face because of poor communication. It takes lots of practice! Practice makes permanent, so practice correctly.
- Strive for continuous feedback from the team. Encourage participation in Unit Based Councils. Staff input is critical to our success.
- Promote professional development
- Identify and communicate core values for employees to focus on. Be kind, give praise, acknowledge others. Think positively!
- Implementing zero tolerance policies for harassment and bullying
- Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration
- Hire people who conduct themselves with civility
Leadership’s role in building a civil environment
Leadership plays a crucial role in shaping workplace culture. Nursing supervisors and healthcare administrators must model respectful behavior and set clear expectations for civility. By doing so, they can cultivate an environment where mutual respect and professionalism are the norm.
- Lead by example. Don’t be the excuse for why your staff are not doing the right thing. As a leader, you are always being observed by others.
- Create a Just Culture; don’t turn a blind eye to what may be happening
- Recognize and reward positive behavior
- Provide conflict resolution resources
- Educate the team
- Listen!
- Provide outlets for staff to decompress. Work with the Foundation to create a ‘Zen’ room for staff to relax in. Offer coloring pages, music, ensure staff get breaks, talk to staff.
The role of nurses in promoting civility
Nurses themselves have an important role in maintaining a civil and healthy workplace. While leadership sets the tone, each team member must contribute to the respectful environment by upholding professional standards and fostering positive interactions with colleagues and patients alike.
- Practice empathy
- Manage stress proactively – take care of yourself
- Commitment to professionalism
- Hold yourself and your coworkers accountable
- Participate in Unit Based Councils and provide well thought out ideas
- Ask to participate in the interview process and then mentor new hires
- Be part of the solution for your unit’s success
Conclusion
Creating a healthy and civil workplace for nursing is a shared responsibility between leadership, nurses and healthcare organizations. By fostering open communication, providing opportunities for professional development, implementing strong anti-bullying policies, addressing burnout and promoting collaboration, health care environments can become more supportive and productive. This in turn leads to higher job satisfaction, better patient care and long-term improvements in the healthcare system. By committing to civility, nurses and health care leaders can help build a work culture where everyone feels respected and valued.
Remember why you became a nurse and the impact you have each and every day on your patients and your team. At the end of the day, can you say, ‘I’m proud of the impact I made?’
It’s up to you and I know you can do it!
