|
What do nurses want? What do nurses need? These are
important questions in a world that does not have enough
nurses and in an industry that is just discovering the
real value of nurses' contributions to health care.
It reminds me of a funny, yet touching movie, "What
Women Want." Mel Gibson's character suddenly can
hear everything women are thinking as he passes them
on the street, at work and in social settings. His new
insights change the way he views women, including his
teenage daughter, his new boss/girlfriend and, ultimately,
how he designs a successful advertising strategy focused
on women.
In our case, I know a lot of people who are trying
to read the minds of nurses right now. What do nurses
want? Can it be so easily defined? What will attract
a nurse to one employer/position/setting over another?
Are there environmental characteristics that serve as
primary attractors?
The Magnet Hospital Recognition Program has identified
those workplace philosophies and characteristics that
have demonstrated the ability to attract and retain
nurses. Although many nurse leaders are familiar with
the Magnet program and many recent reports have promoted
its adoption, most nurses are just learning about it.
It is an important concept for all of us to understand
and be able to apply. After all, it is a program designed
to reflect what nurses want most in the workplace today.
Two hospitals in California have achieved Magnet status-UC
Davis Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
in Los Angeles-and many more are in the application
process. We should celebrate those hospitals that have
achieved this recognition. It is important to note that
there are many more hospitals that can't afford it,
but deserve recognition because of their equally successful
work cultures.
Although strong and visionary nursing leadership is
an essential ingredient to achieving Magnet status,
the most important prerequisite is a willing and motivated
nursing staff appropriately employed to build and create
the necessary work culture. It also takes a board, administration
and medical staff that can demonstrate their sincere
belief in nursing. It's difficult to fake it. Like any
business attempting to create value, the process is
labor-intensive and expensive. (Yes, even getting a
copy of the standards costs money.)
However, not unlike the challenges the JCAHO is facing
today, the Magnet Hospital Recognition Program will
have to demonstrate its continued value and relevance
in a rapidly changing profession and health care delivery
system. If the Magnet program becomes overly prescriptive
and does not value creativity and innovation, it will
lose the support of the nursing community. I prefer
to believe that our profession is so diverse that a
multitude of different-yet equally thriving-work environments
can prove satisfying for nurses. Given the challenges
we are confronting today, Magnet recognition clearly
is a worthwhile investment for nurses who want to make
meaningful changes in the workplace.
Excellence should be rewarded, and it needs and deserves
our recognition.
Discuss this and other topics with your colleagues
at www.nurseweek.com/rnvillage.
|
