Decrease Burnout and Stress Among Float RNs Using True Collaboration and Meaningful Recognition

Project Topic:

Decrease burnout and stress among GYN-OB RN’s who float to other departments in hospital

Hospital, City and State:

Methodist Women’s Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska

Unit:

• Gynecology and Obstetrics Care Unit (GYN-OB)

CSI Participants:

• Cara Coulter, BSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC
• Vickie Haecke, BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM
• Heather Hansen, MSN, RNC-MNN
• Sarah Stenger, BSN, RN
• Coach: Stephanie Bricker, MSN, RNC-MNN

Project Goals/Objectives:

1. Decrease stress among GYN-OB unit RNs when floating to Mother/Baby, Labor/Delivery, and High-Risk OB units by providing a floating resource toolkit
2. Reduce stress and decrease burnout
   • Decrease Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) from 37.53 to 28
   • Increase staff utilization of resource toolkit to 35%
3. Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWEAT)
   • Increase HWEAT Meaningful Recognition from 3.55 to 4.0
   • Increase HWEAT True Collaboration from 3.75 to 4.0
4. Decrease Turnover by 1 RN

Project Outcomes:

1. Reduced stress and decrease burnout
   • Decreased (Improved) Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) from 37.53 to 37.21
   • Increased staff use of resource toolkit by 47%
2. Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWEAT)
   • Increased HWEAT score in Meaningful Recognition from 3.55 to 4.34
   • Increased HWEAT score in True Collaboration from 3.75 to 4.2
3. Turnover
   • Decreased GYN-OB RN turnover by 20%
   • Decreased turnover rate from 5.6% to 2.8%
4. Reduced RN turnover from 2 to 1 from September 2025 – March 2026
5. This led to a potential cost avoidance of $91,665, annualized

Project Overview:

We identified that staff were stressed about floating and the staff in our unit float often. We developed a toolkit with contact information for unit, leaders and educator; where to find things; general overview of expectations of workflow to help nurses feel more comfortable when they float. Laminated hard copies of toolkit available on GYN unit at the main desk. Ongoing float surveys were sent via email after float experience every Friday for feedback. Monthly gift basket drawing for staff that complete survey post float experience.