Findings by LeAnn Thieman
A recent study by the International Council of Nurses found that burnout rates in nursing were 40 percent before the pandemic, and now the figure has grown to 70 percent. I believe nurses are not burned out but drained out. I’ve seen the absolute devastation of burned land in the Colorado fires — land that will never be recovered the same. With the proper care, however, nurses and caregivers can recover.
We can refill their wells by offering programs to give them specific tools to care for themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. This will rebuild their resiliency because people want to work for people who care for them. Forward-thinking, honorable companies establish cultures of caring to prevent burnout before it exhausts their staff. They make it that part of their mission statements, vision statements, and strategic plans. They don’t just tell employees to take care of themselves, they offer time-tested evidence-based programs to do so.
Over and over I hear from drained-out healthcare workers, “I really want to take care of myself, but I don’t know where to begin.” Hospitals and healthcare organizations must make caring for their staff a top priority. After all, it is the best recruitment and retention tool.
New recruits have a choice between numerous companies these days, and they will gravitate toward the ones that have programs and a commitment to care for them, mind, body, and spirit. Companies with cultures of caring have happier, healthier, more productive workers. And, as one CNO said, “Besides, it’s the right thing to do.”
Does your healthcare organization need help to figure out how to provide the proper care programs and tools? You’re in luck — this is what SelfCare for HealthCare, a company founded by me, LeAnn Thieman, specializes in. We’ll equip you with the knowledge necessary to support and retain staff, so you can improve overall nurse satisfaction and enjoy a healthier work environment. Contact us to hire me as a corporate trainer or to find out more about how we can help.
