23 Oct why do you think the issues presented in this chapter persist in today’s workforce culture?

why do you think the issues presented in this chapter persist in today’s workforce culture?

Workforce Culture Issues

Workforce culture is a significant aspect of the nursing profession. It is determined by the leadership, including the approach involved in managing the working environment. Culture is an effective strategy in nursing that either reinforces or undermines professional competence.  Cultural competence among nurses enhances communication among nurses and patients with diverse backgrounds (Rittle, 2015). A positive workforce culture enhances staff satisfaction and engagement, influences patient safety, along with attracting the right talent.

The nursing profession experiences a shortage in its workforce, an aspect that interferes with its capacity to deliver services effectively. A workforce culture that promotes career growth and supports employee roles by offering a favorable environment with the required tools is likely to thrive (Davis, White, and Stephenson, 2016). Although technical skills are valuable in nursing, nurses have people-oriented jobs. As such, opportunities for people skills in the workplace are necessary to enhance collaboration, conflict resolution, and empathy. The nursing profession is more aligned with helping people and dealing with their emotions. The hiring process should involve senior nursing staff to facilitate the mentoring of new hires such that new employees benefit from their expertise. Nursing staff with longer service terms will feel their contributions to the organization’s management or leadership is valued.

There are dynamic shifts in the demand for staff in the nursing profession. Nurses are sometimes forced to work long hours, which affects their productivity and morale. The attraction of new talent by advocating for cultural competence is becoming significant in the nursing profession. A positive workforce culture is vital for the overall success of employees, including patient experience (Davis et al., 2016). The increased turnover rates are attributed to poor leadership in the nursing profession, especially when too much focus is drawn towards patient satisfaction and not staff satisfaction. There is an increasing need among nurses to portray competence in service delivery that indicates an understanding of cultural diversity (Rittle, 2015). Therefore, the nursing profession should continually encourage staff engagement and improve their professional experience to give patients the necessary care.

            Workplace culture necessitates improvements, such as clear communication among healthcare stakeholders. A professional relationship is established among administrators, patients, and employees, which improves service delivery and maintains rapport among nursing staff. The nurses also have a convenient way to express their grievances to the administrators. Moreover, concerns about nursing shortage are easily addressed because of the transparency in making decisions and sharing information. Nurses have diverse beliefs and approaches towards patient satisfaction and safety, which healthcare organizations can support through clear and consistent engagement (Rittle, 2015). The organizational commitment to make employees feel valued improves care quality and builds a desirable workforce characterized by competence and better services.

  A workforce culture that promotes inclusion entitles nurses to valuable practice and learning. However, limited acceptance in the workplace hinders the efficiency of nurses in healthcare facilities. The discrimination based on gender, color, and sexual orientation lowers the performance of nurses due to low morale and unequal opportunities to progress in their careers. An inclusive environment in nursing promotes learning and helps attain positive patient outcomes (Davis et al., 2016). Nurses should, therefore, learn in environments that support professional practice, facilitate best patient outcomes and influence workplace culture. Moreover, positive attitudes and rewards create a positive work culture, resulting from superior management style and effective leadership.

References

 Davis, K., White, S., & Stephenson, M. (2016). The Influence of Workplace Culture on Nurses’ Learning Experiences: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Evidence. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, 14(6), 274-346.

Rittle, C. (2015). Multicultural Nursing: Providing Better Employee Care. Workplace Health & Safety, 63(12), 532-538.