Workplace mistreatment has surged in healthcare since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses and physicians across all disciplines are experiencing it, and neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) are no exception. The trend is concerning, but there are ways hospital leaders and healthcare systems can step in to protect their workers against mistreatment and the subsequent occupational distress that ensues. Here’s what you should know.
Mistreatment & Occupational Distress: What’s the Connection?
According to a 2022 study of more than 1,500 physicians, nearly a quarter of those polled had experienced mistreatment in their jobs within the last year. Patients and visitors were often the source of this mistreatment, and these negative experiences led to increased occupational distress. Moreover, distressed providers were more likely to leave their organizations, experience burnout, and feel reduced professional fulfillment. On the other hand, physicians who maintained the perception of protective workplace systems had lower levels of occupational distress.
It’s not just verbal mistreatment that healthcare workers encounter, however. Research shared by the American Hospital Association shows that while 68% of nurses have experienced some degree of verbal abuse, 44% encountered physical violence during the pandemic.
Protection against verbal abuse and violence are essential to providing your NNPs and other staff with a safe and productive work environment. But what does it take to establish – and maintain – a protective workplace system?
The Elements of a Protective Workplace
Supporting your NNPs starts with establishing and enforcing workplace policies that both discourage mistreatment in the first place, and protect staff in the event it should occur. This undertaking may require collaboration from multiple parties, such as human resources professionals, nurse supervisors, and other key stakeholders. Further, improving the organizational culture will require a comprehensive approach encompassing education of the entire staff, from physicians to maintenance staff and everyone in between.
While each hospital and healthcare organization will need to establish protective measures based on its unique qualities and identified risks, here are a few strategies that will benefit most organizations.
Published Expectations of Patient Behaviors
Signage, pamphlets, and other communications should be used to establish expectations for behavior of patients and visitors. Consider digital channels such as social media and emails as well, and make sure verbiage is accessible for all audiences.
Procedures for Dismissing Abusive Patients
Most likely, your organization already has policies and procedures for dismissing and/or refusing to provide care for abusive patients and visitors. Revisit these policies to make sure they’re up-to-date with your current needs, and that staff is fully trained on them.
Encouragement of Bystander Intervention
Oftentimes, bystanders can intervene to stop abusive behavior or to prevent it from worsening. Encourage all staff to act if abuse is ever observed, and discuss the proper channels for getting help promptly. Additionally, consider anonymous reporting systems to encourage NNPs and other workers to come forward with any abuse they witness from coworkers.
Comprehensive Staff Training
Leadership development, implicit bias training, and other evidence-based interventions can help to facilitate a respectful and protective environment for your staff. While training should be a component of onboarding, it should also be provided at routine intervals for all employees.
Keeping your NNPs safe and comfortable in the workplace is one way to promote retention, but there are many other factors that contribute to current healthcare staffing challenges. If your healthcare organization is seeking NNPs, allow Ensearch to help. We specialize in filling openings with qualified full time or locum professionals for hospitals looking to expand their workforce. Start your search by scheduling a consultation with Ensearch today.
