Our nurses deserve innovative solutions
Attracting and retaining health-care workers is one of the most pressing challenges facing hospitals today
the dynamic landscape of health care, nurses working with multidisciplinary teams stand as the backbone of patient care. St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (St. Joe’s) couldn’t agree more.
As one of the main issues dominating headlines for the past few years, chronic nursing shortages were heightened and would eventually peak during the pandemic, and attracting and retaining health-care workers remains one of the most pressing challenges facing hospitals across the province.
St. Joe’s is working to address the fallout.
Most importantly, we recognize nurses have the expertise and experience to shape the future of nursing. Nurses are driving solutions and contributing innovative ideas to address the immediate staffing gaps and laying the foundation for a sustainable and thriving healthcare system that ensures patient care remains at the highest standard. As the experts in their field, we are following their lead and supporting their futures.
During National Nursing Week (May 6-12), we want to share how we are supporting nurses by challenging and changing our systems of care to ensure we can meet the evolving health-care needs of our community. Mentorship plays a pivotal role in nurturing talent and fostering a culture of continuous learning. We’ve learned that pairing experienced nurses with newer team members creates a supportive environment where knowledge is shared, skills are honed, and confidence is built.
Collaboration with universities and academic institutions is key to being an academic health-centre leader. By partnering with nursing schools, we prepare nurses for integration into clinical practice. This not only helps alleviate staffing shortages but also ensures a pipeline of well-trained nurses ready to meet the evolving health-care demands.
Developing interprofessional teams that include nurses, phyIn sicians, pharmacists and other health-care professionals supports seamless co-ordination of care and enhances patient experiences and health outcomes. By breaking down silos and promoting collaboration, we’re creating a more integrated and efficient health-care delivery system, which allows nurses to operate at the top of their skills.
Nurses continually seek opportunities to expand their knowledge, acquire new skills, and stay abreast of evolving health-care trends. We have revamped our nursing orientation program to incorporate the latest research and evidence in day-to-day clinical practice. Leveraging simulation equipment as part of our onboarding and education, this modern program allows nurses to practice complex scenarios in a controlled environment, preparing them to handle reallife situations with confidence.
We understand that supporting our nurses goes beyond training and development; it also involves ensuring safety, promoting work-life balance, and supporting mental health and well-being. By prioritizing the holistic needs of our nursing workforce, we are working to create a work environment that is conducive to professional growth and personal fulfilment.
Nurses are masters of adaptability, seamlessly navigating through fluctuating patient volumes, urgency for clinical intervention, and unforeseen emergencies. Their ability to triage, prioritize and deliver quality care under pressure is a testament to their expertise. With persistent staffing shortages and increased demand for care, our nurses continue to step up to ensure our patients and their families receive quality compassionate care.
While the road ahead may still be challenging, we are working to navigate nursing shortages and emerge stronger as a health-care organization. By embracing innovation, collaboration and a patient-centred approach, we are committed to ensuring the highest quality of care.
We thank all our nurses at St. Joe’s and all of health care for caring for our patients and each other.
ANDREA MCKNIGHT IS DIRECTOR OF NURSING, ACUTE AND POSTACUTE NURSING. BROOKE COWELL IS CLINICAL DIRECTOR, ACUTE IN-PATIENT PSYCHIATRY, PES, COAST, MCRRT, CONSULTATION/LIAISON, MHAP NURSING PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE. DONNA JOHNSON IS SENIOR DIRECTOR, ACUTE OPERATIONS, GIM AND EMERGENCY SERVICES. LINDA CALHOUN IS INTERIM EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT CLINICAL OPERATIONS AND CHIEF NURSING EXECUTIVE.