Page 16 - SFHN22 Feb 22finalUF.qxp_SFHN 0608 Friday 5.0

HEALTHCARE EDUCATION HEALTHCARE EDUCATION

Toward a Healthier Nursing Workforce

As the first months of 2022 begin to unfold, so health care delivery. Healthy work environments
does the opportunity for a new beginning. This maximize the contributions of nursing, improve
year, let our New Year’s resolution be to establish nurse well-being, and have the potential to mitigate
and maintain health care environments that are as the stresses accompanying pandemic care. What is
healthy for nurses as they are for their patients. We required is the will and the resources to create and
have the knowledge and tools necessary to accom- maintain healthy work environments, and this com-
plish this resolution. mitment is even more urgent in our current crisis.
Linked to pioneers like Florence Nightingale, We have learned a great deal in the two years since
nursing has long been considered the most trusted we celebrated the first-ever International Year of the
profession. We know that without high-quality, Nurse and Florence Nightingale’s 200th birthday in
appropriately staffed nursing care, health care sys- 2020. Despite health system staffing crises and many
tems are unsustainable. Without nurses, hospitals other challenges that have come to light amid this
can’t save lives. Consequently, the well-being of BY CINDY L. MUNRO, ongoing pandemic, there is still much to be opti-
nurses is central to provision of health care and to PHD, RN, ANP-BC, mistic about when it comes to the nursing profession.
the viability of health care systems. FAAN, FAANP, FAAAS Among those reasons for optimism I count our
During the COVID-19 pandemic these past two school’s 563 nursing students and 550 public health
years, frontline health care workers have faced well-documented and health science students, not to mention the more than 600
struggles that have taken a deep, ongoing toll—mental, emotion- students we graduated in 2021.
al, and physical. Nurses, such as those caring for patients with New students are committing to the health professions in
COVID-19, often provide a near-constant presence at the patient’s droves with their eyes wide open. Veteran nurses are finding new
bedside for extended periods. Thankfully, there exists an evi- ways to make a difference through advanced degrees, advocacy,
dence-based blueprint for improving nurse well-being that can research, and leadership. They will propel nursing toward new
guide us toward fulfilling our 2022 resolution. horizons. To help realize their vast promise and potential, I and
The central elements of this blueprint are encompassed in the other nurse leaders must seize this moment to fully embrace the
standards of a healthy work environment. Healthy work environ- imperative of a healthy work environment, authentically live it,
ments will attract and retain nurses. Compensation is just one of and engage others in its achievement. Restoring the well-being of
many factors that must be considered. In my recently coauthored nurses through improving the health care work environment will
editorial for the American Journal of Critical Care, I outlined the have broad benefits for patients, families, the health care team,
six standards for establishing and sustaining healthy work envi- health systems, and society. The need is urgent, and the time is
ronments that have been articulated as essential by the American now. We at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health
Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). The six standards Studies are committed to this novel, optimistic, world-changing
are: skilled communication, true collaboration, effective decision- profession.
making, appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition, and
authentic leadership. Cindy L. Munro is Dean and Professor,
These standards, taken together, will enable nurses to control University of Miami School of Nursing
nursing practice, deliver excellent care, and be full partners in and Health Studies.

16 February 2022 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News