There’s no stopping the healthcare industry. From hospital administrators to registered nurses to physicians and so many others, it’s a powerhouse industry that employs millions of people across the US. It’s a competitive and fast-paced industry. It’s also an industry where employees may feel underappreciated.

While you can say that about practically any industry, the size and scope of the healthcare industry can make it easier for employee appreciation to slip through the cracks. That isn’t to say this is the case in every hospital or practice, but it’s worth highlighting.

Putting the Focus on Employee Appreciation

With Employee Appreciation Day falling on the first Friday of March this year, there isn’t a better time to talk about it. Employee Appreciation Day is a reminder for employers to recognize and celebrate the efforts of their employees. While we don’t–and shouldn’t–need a specific day to recognize employees, it puts this appreciation front and center.

In the healthcare industry, employee appreciation can be impactful. It can define a workplace. It can define a person’s job and professional relationships. It can be an impactful part of having a fulfilling career or as impactful as having dedicated insurance for nursing (a huge source of peace of mind for nurses, RNs, APRNs, etc.).

Building Stronger, More Cohesive Teams

When healthcare workers feel appreciated, that feeling can have a real-world impact. It can lay the foundation for a stronger workplace with more cohesive teams. In a healthcare setting, a stronger workplace with cohesive departments and shifts has the potential to translate to better care for patients.

Patients may receive better care due to improved communication between healthcare professionals. Staff may be more purpose-driven and focused in their work. They may be less liable to make mistakes or overlook critical details. As an aside to this point, carrying a malpractice insurance nurse practitioner policy (or for any kind of nurse, physician assistant, etc.) shouldn’t be overlooked. Mistakes can and do happen. In healthcare, malpractice insurance is a must.

Fostering a Supportive Environment

Appreciation isn’t just defined by words of affirmation or a Friday pizza party. While these things can have their place, appreciation can take other forms. One crucial form can be actively fostering a supportive work environment. Support from leaders within the organization—from the top down—can make a meaningful difference.

It can make a difference for doctors, nurses, PAs, admins, and everyone. It can impact the quality of the work environment. Supported staff can feel good about being at work and what they do. Job satisfaction, once again, may lead to a higher quality of work.

Individuals can feel more supported when they have the tools and resources they need. It may be internal resources, like adequate support staff and instruments. It can even be less tangible, like the right malpractice insurance for RN, APRNs, and other healthcare professionals. While staff would get the latter on their own, it is nevertheless something that can make a difference in the workplace.

Recognizing the Efforts of Each Team Member

How do you build stronger, more cohesive teams? How can you better support healthcare workers? The answer can vary, but it can involve things like leaders demonstrating a willingness to listen and respond to concerns. It can also involve team members demonstrating that same willingness with one another.

Stronger teams are also teams that focus on building a more positive workspace. They focus on building up one another rather than criticizing or gossiping. They communicate with a reasonable level of transparency and openness. They’re there for one another. They check on each other and make sure every member of the team has what they need. Leaders also follow this standard.

Are these realistic expectations for every healthcare organization? Not necessarily. Many healthcare organizations are large and complex—with internal complexities to match. But in the light of Employee Appreciation Day, they can be something worth striving for.

Original Source: https://bit.ly/3TgAKHQ