Effective nursing orientation can thwart dissatisfaction

With experienced nurses at a premium, every hospital faces the problems of nursing recruitment and retention. Low morale among nurses may compound the problem. Nursing administrators may bolster morale--thus improving retention and aiding recruitment efforts--by providing a thorough orientation program, setting clear guidelines, and providing a supportive environment for staff members to suggest care system innovations and make daily decisions. Effective orientation relies on the administrator's appreciation of the nursing process. Close cooperation is necessary between administrators and nurses as nursing administrators identify stages of the orientation process that staff members are working through and intervene with direction and advice to encourage progress. Administrators may help nurses by: Consciously supporting them in their efforts to achieve the four nursing practice components: skill competency, anticipatory care, concerned human presence, and dealing with the life effect. Establishing clear-cut guidelines within which nurses may make decisions. Being aware of the patterns of staff responses to job challenges and replying to these responses.