Motivating staff: a look at assumptions

Motivational theory can be a helpful tool to enrich staff's jobs. Some of the literature seems to promise that if we master certain formulas or learn certain procedures we can motivate employees to incredible levels of performance. This discussion lays to rest such expectations. Reviewing the concept of work motivation and pointing out the useful elements that are at the heart of the various motivational theories, the author seeks to make sense of the diversity and seeming contradictions among the theories. The discussion is directed specifically to nursing home administrators; however, the author's perspective can be used by all nursing administrators to integrate theory with the real world situation to provide a motivating environment for staff.