[RxForSanityeNews]
So now you're running your own endoscopy suite. You found the best nurses and techs...however, more in-office and freestanding endoscopy suites are opening in your neighborhood. Keeping your staff may be sticky. How do you keep your staff? Throw more money at them?
Here's the big secret: it's not about the money. It's about the lifestyle. However, if you get it wrong, it is about the money...your money. It is estimated and well-known by hospital personnel departments, that to replace any clinical staff will cost you1.5 times their annual salary to cover part-time replacement labor and overtime, recruitment, and training. Thus, it's in your best interest to bond to the staff that you've got.
The hot topic now is not simply retention but 'engagement'. It is no longer enough to keep your staff satisfied; you must use glue to stick them to your organization. Other endo suites have gotten savvy, and you will shortly find the pickings to be slim. You grab them, you train them, but how can you "engage" them?
We in office gastroenterology must *TREAT* our GI nurses to engage their energy and spirit. Here are some suggestions: adapt them to your circumstances.
*T each:*
Do you regard education as a primary goal in your suite? Favorite gastros are the ones who teach during cases. Have you encouraged your nurses to study for and receive the honor and rank of certification? Can you award a scholarship to one of your staff each year to attend the National or Regional SGNA meeting and to return and teach his or her coworkers and associates? Routinely insist on invitations for your nurses to attend drug company sponsored events in your area?
*R ecognition:*
Do you have a recognition program in place? Your staff should all be identified by full name and rank on an official name badge. (No, not "Suzie, RN"). Recognize achievements in education and length of employment at staff meetings. Introduce your patients to all the staff in their endo room and explain their roles in the patient's care.
*E nvironment:*
Is your work environment conducive to engagement? Does each employee have his or her own desk or drawer to hold supplies? Your space is doubtless appropriately clinical, but does it display the human element? More human needn't mean less sterile. Is there an area for family and pet pictures, jokes, cartoon? This is a big advantage you have over hospitals, use personal elements in your endosuite environment.
*A ppreciation:*
Lack of appreciation is one hot button in nursing retention. Unfortunately we believe that well functioning staff is the norm rather than the exception and that doesn't merit any special appreciation. Your staff comes in for more than a paycheck. They joined the medical profession to care for people, and they would like to be noticed AND appreciated.
*T eam:*
Act as a team and integrate with your staff for patient care. Educate them so as to confidently pass along some patient responsibility, promote their efforts, make their working environment a second home, and thank them for a job well done.
Use *TREAT* as your EndoGlue to fuse your staff to you for life! Stick to it!
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