CNOs must help reestablish trust between nurses and leadership to boost communication and engagement, says this CNO.
Nurse engagement is an essential part of building a sustainable workforce in healthcare.
If CNOs want to continue to attract and retain nurses in the profession, they need to get back in touch with the workforce and address the underlying causes of what makes nurses feel disengaged.
Rebuilding the relationship between nurses and nurse leadership is a critical piece of that puzzle. According to Jeff Doucette, CNO at Press Ganey, it begins with a strong, continuous listening strategy where CNOs are hearing the nurses' voices and acting upon their feedback.
Here are 5 steps that CNOs can take to rebuild trust between nurses, their peers, and leadership.
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G Hatfield is the CNO editor for HealthLeaders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
CNOs must make sure that nurse leaders are rounding on a regular basis, and that staff know who their leaders are and how to access them.
Leaders at the frontline and at middle levels must act as ambassadors for the CNO, representing the voice of the CNO and making sure that people understand that their voice is heard.
CNOs need to set clear expectations for professional behavior and hold people accountable to them, while creating opportunities for peer mentorship and shared governance.