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Title

Using Maslow's Pyramid and the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators™ to Attain a Healthier Work Environment.

Authors

Paris, Lisa Groff; Terhaar, Mary

Abstract

The strongest predictor of nurse job dissatisfaction and intent to leave is that of stress in the practice environment. Good communication, control over practice, decision making at the bedside, teamwork, and nurse empowerment have been found to increase nurse satisfaction and decrease turnover. In this article we share our experience of developing a rapid-design process to change the approach to performance improvement so as to increase engagement, empowerment, effectiveness, and the quality of the professional practice environment. Meal and non-meal breaks were identified as the target area for improvement. Qualitative and quantitative data support the success of this project. We begin this article with a review of literature related to work environment and retention and a presentation of the frameworks used to improve the work environment, specifically Maslow's theory of the Hierarchy of Inborn Needs and the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators™ Survey. We then describe our performance improvement project and share our conclusion and recommendations.

Subjects

ANALYSIS of variance; AUTOMATIC data collection systems; CLINICAL medicine; CONCEPTUAL structures; JOB satisfaction; MEDICAL protocols; NURSES; NURSES' attitudes; QUALITY assurance; STATISTICAL sampling; SURVEYS; WORK environment; EMPLOYEE retention; HIERARCHY of needs theory (Psychology); KEY performance indicators (Management); PRE-tests & post-tests

Publication

Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 2011, Vol 16, Issue 1, p1

ISSN

1091-3734

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.3912/OJIN.Vol16No01PPT05