Is your workplace healthy?

Connie Barden, AACN Past-President, discussed challenges in her work environment with conference attendees.

The story

"I was about to contribute to a system that wasn't working. I had ordered a bedside commode and was told Central Services was too busy. Though I had patients, I was about to leave the unit to pick it up. Then I thought, 'What's wrong with this picture? Nurses are an invaluable resource-in short supply.' Instead I worked with the supply manager to create a better system. When we engage in finding solutions with our colleagues, more than processes are improved. Cultures change. Work environments get healthier."

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Related AACN Resources

AACN's Healthy Work Environment Initiative: Establishing and sustaining healthy work environments must be a priority if nurses are going to make their optimal contributions in caring for patients and patients' families.
AACN Standards for Establishing and Sustaining Healthy Work Environments: The ingredients for success - skilled communication, true collaboration, effective decision making, appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition and authentic leadership are described in the AACN Standards for Establishing and Sustaining Healthy Work Environments.
The Making of a Campaign: We've listened to AACN members, certificants and volunteers in all areas of acute and critical care, and have compiled a library of inspiring true stories that nurses can relate to. We know you'll see yourself in these stories because you are, most assuredly, a part of A Community of Exceptional Nurses

AACN Healthy Work Environment Assessment: You and your team can collectively measure your work environment's current health against the HWE standards.
Healthy Work Environment Resources: Find a wide variety of resources that will help you in the planning and implementation of the HWE standards.
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