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Appreciation and Support of Nursing Home Staff Vital to Reducing Turnover

Samantha Matthews

Turnover of nursing staff is a common challenge for nursing homes (NHs)—one that is only further exacerbated by the pandemic— but findings from a study recently published in The Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine highlighted important areas to focus on to continue effectively providing residents with consistent, person-centered care, as well as a more people-oriented work environment for staff.

For this study researchers conducted interviews with 17 family members; 25 direct care registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs); and 6 administrative staff from 13 NHs in southeastern Michigan.

According to authors of the study, experiences with turnover were mixed among family members, but in order to ensure safe and high-quality resident care they expressed the need for care to be consistent and personalized.

Authors noted a similar viewpoint and frustration was expressed by direct care RNs, LPNs, and CNAs who felt they were not able to provide the care they would like due to short staffing or turnover.

“It’s hard, when it’s a high turnover then a lot of times things don’t get done, things get missed, if you have systems in place they fall apart…,” stated an RN. “I’ve seen the worst, people overworked, you’ve got managers that [are] always on the floors, so they can’t do their other job, the CNAs are overwhelmed, and the residents are not getting the care they need, and it’s just not a good thing all across the board.”

Authors of the study reported that while increased compensation and wages were admitted to be a factor, the importance of staff feeling appreciated and supported was noted by all groups as being of utmost importance in decreasing turnover.

Other factors mentioned to potentially reduce turnover included the need for adequate training and strategies for new staff members.

Authors of the study noted that while long-term solutions to reduce nursing home staff turnover should remain a high priority, these strategies for reducing disruptions when turnover does occur remains imperative.

“Wages are often perceived to drive nursing home staff turnover,” stated study authors. “However, an even stronger theme across all respondents was the need for staff to feel appreciated, respected, and listened to. Although this may not be a new finding, it provides a critical area of focus, suggesting potential benefit from strategies that are people (ie, staff) oriented and promote an environment of mutual respect among nursing home employees.”

Reference:
Krein SL, Turnwald M, Anderson B, Maust DT. Sometimes it’s not about the money… it’s the way you treat people...: A qualitative study of nursing home staff turnover. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2022; doi:10.1016/j.jamda.2021.11.036

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