AACN Key Initiative: Healthy Work Environment

(HWE)

Pam Madrid, Chapter Adviser Region 13Marcia Kummer, Chapter Adviser Region 16

April 2010

Reviewed 9/2012

Objectives

• Review elements included in Healthy Work Environment standards.

• Discuss HWE best practices and gaps within your chapters.

• Increase comfort with HWE standards to enable you to make changes in chapter and workplace environments.

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AACN Healthy Work Environment (HWE)

• 2001: AACN commits to the ideal of Healthy Work Environment.

• 2005: Standards are complete and published.

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AACN Healthy WorkEnvironment Standards

• Skilled communication

• True collaboration

• Effective decision-making

• Appropriate staffing• Meaningful recognition

• Authentic leadershipReviewed 9/2012

Skilled Communication

• Standard: Nurses must be as proficient in communication skills as they are in clinical skills.

• Transfer of information from one to another

• More than one-way delivery of information

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Skilled Communication

• Use first party communication–avoid triangulating. Talk directly with the person with whom you have an

issue rather than discuss it with anyone else. If someone attempts to get you involved in a triangular

discussion, recommend first-party communication to them.

• Communication is verbal and non-verbal. Verbal: e mail, voice mail, videoconference, phone,

face-to-face Non-verbal: body language, facial expressions, silence

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Skilled Communication

•Communication is: 55% body language 38% tone of voice 7% content

•When these elements of communication do not align, body language and tone will be believed over content .

•Consider how technology affects these elements of communication.

Skilled Communication in Chapters

• Consensus on how to communicate Use of technology Within Board With general membership

• Parliamentary procedure vs. informal How to assure all voices are heard

• Written policies, strategic plan and budget

Reviewed 9/2012

Skilled Communicationin Chapters

• What are some examples of best practices in skilled communication within your chapters?

• What are some gaps in skilled communication within your chapters?

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True Collaboration

• Standard: Nurses must be relentless in pursuing and fostering true collaboration.

• It is a process, not an event.

• Requires: skilled communication, trust, knowledge, shared responsibility, mutual respect, optimism and coordination.

• Everyone must embrace and invest in collaboration to ensure sustained culture.

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True Collaboration in Chapters

• Assignments, reports and projects are completed on time.

• All views are presented during the meeting (not after).

• Members contribute to the common goal.

• Disputes are resolved as they occur.

Reviewed 9/2012

True Collaboration in Chapters

• What are some examples of best practices in true collaboration within your chapters?

• What are some of the gaps in true collaboration within your chapter?

Reviewed 9/2012

Effective Decision-Making

• Standard: Nurses must be valued and committed partners in making policy, directing and evaluating clinical care and leading organizational operations.

• Articulates values; uses them in decision-making.

• Ensures respect for all individuals; incorporates key perspectives.

• Designs clear accountabilities.Reviewed 9/2012

Effective Decision-Making

Decision-making using Six Thinking Hats

• Each "Thinking Hat" is a different style of thinking.

• Looks at the decision “wearing” each of the thinking hats.

• Defuses disagreements that happen when people with different thinking styles discuss the same problem.

• Actively pursues other decision options.http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_07.htm

Reviewed 9/2012

Effective Decision-Making

Six Hats: Perspectives

White Hat:• Focus on available data; analyze past trends.• Look for gaps in knowledge.

Red Hat: • Use intuition, gut reaction and emotion. • Think of how others will view the decision.

Yellow Hat: • Embrace optimistic view point. • Look for benefits and value.• Identify opportunities that arise from decision.

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_07.htmReviewed 9/2012

Six Hats: Perspective

Black Hat: Look for why ideas/approaches won’t work. Use pessimism, caution and defensiveness. Highlights weak points of the decision which

allows for development of more resilient plan.

Green Hat: Think of creative solutions. Freewheeling of thinking without critical

analysis.

Blue Hat (process control): Worn by facilitator of a meeting. Directs which colored hat to “think from.”

Effective Decision-Makingin Chapters

• Determine how you will make decisions. Consensus – takes time, but is best Majority Authoritarian

• Decisions should promote the mission and vision of the chapter.

• Use strategic plan, budget and policies as a reference.

Reviewed 9/2012

Effective Decision-Makingin Chapters

• What are some examples of best practices in effective decision-making within your chapters?

• What are some of the gaps in effective decision-making within your chapters?

Reviewed 9/2012

Appropriate Staffing• Standard: Staffing must ensure the effective

match between patient needs and nurse competencies.

• Complex process

• Ongoing evaluation of staffing decisions

• Might require innovative thinking to ensure competence matches need

• Use of support services

Reviewed 9/2012

Appropriate Staffing in Chapters

• Succession planning.

• Assure good matches (ability with duties).

• Committees should support chapter mission.

• Mentor a replacement; limit terms.

• Offer smaller or short-term projects.

Reviewed 9/2012

Appropriate Staffing

• What are some examples of best practices for appropriate staffing within your chapters?

• What are some of the gaps in appropriate staffing within your chapters?

Reviewed 9/2012

Meaningful Recognition

• Standard: Nurses must be recognized and must recognize others for the value each brings to the work of the organization.

• Fundamental human need.

• Everyone needs to play an active role.

• System in place ensures ongoing recognition.

Reviewed 9/2012

Meaningful Recognitionin Chapters

• Board or committee members NTI or educational scholarships Free membership – national and local

• Newly certified members National office cannot notify chapters due to

privacy regulations Individual chapters need to find a method

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Meaningful Recognitionin Chapters

• What are some examples of best practices in meaningful recognition within your chapters?

• What are some of the gaps in meaningful recognition within your chapters?

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Authentic Leadership

• Standard: Nurse leaders must fully embrace the imperative of a healthy work environment, authentically live it and engage others in its achievement.

• Model and support skilled communication, true collaboration, effective decision-making and meaningful recognition.

• Mentoring.Reviewed 9/2012

Authentic Leadershipin Chapters

• Translate the vision of a healthy work environment to meetings.

• Excel at generating enthusiasm of members.

• Engage others in the vision and goals of the chapter.

• Provide a good transition for new Board members.

Reviewed 9/2012

Authentic Leadership

• What are some examples of best practices in authentic leadership within your chapters?

• What are some of the gaps in authentic leadership within your chapters?

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Resources - www.aacn.org

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Resources - HWE

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Resources – bottom of page

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Resources

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Resources

• Website www.aacn.org

• HWE Assessment Tool http//www.hweteamtool.org/main/index

• Video - 11 minutes Access on HWE page

• Your Chapter Adviser

• AACN Chapter Specialist

Reviewed 9/2012