Critical care nurse
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Critical care nurse · Dec 2011
Using a nursing productivity committee to achieve cost savings and improve staffing levels and staff satisfaction.
Challenged by rising costs, higher registered nurse vacancy rates and declining staff morale, a Nursing Productivity Committee was formed to analyze productive and nonproductive hours and seek improvements in our staffing models and scheduling processes. The changes implemented led to lower nurse to patient ratios, better control of labor costs, elimination of agency staff, greater staff satisfaction, and introduction of new technologies. Nurse managers, nursing supervisors, and frontline staff are now more knowledgeable and empowered to use creative solutions to manage their budgets and schedules in these times of fluctuating census and varying vacancy rates.
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Many novice managers feel unprepared to handle some of the situations that occur as a daily part of their job. It is important to provide an environment through which novice managers can receive training and develop skills in effective communication in complex nursing environments. Simulation-based training can provide a safe, interactive way for new managers to develop their communication and leadership skills. This type of training allows novice managers to increase their confidence and improve their job satisfaction and their management skills.