Nursing jobs can be tiring. Unstable work environments and long hours can take their toll on a person. It’s no surprise that many nurses think about leaving the workforce; this is not a new problem. It’s one of the most constant problems that have persisted throughout the years. The nursing industry has been looking for more ways to support nurses and raise nurse retention rates.

How to support nurses and raise nurse retention rates

Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned nurse, you are sure to feel this way at least once in your professional career. 

It can be tricky to solve this problem on the hospital administrators’ end, but ultimately all nurses want the same thing: for their efforts to be recognized and duly compensated.

Here are ten ways to support nurses if you want to raise your hospital’s nurse retention rates.

Listen with open ears without judgment

The first step to supporting nurses and raising nurse retention rates is simple yet negligible.

Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare community. Their input is valuable, and their opinion will help you create a healthier environment for professionals and patients. Be willing to listen to what they have to say.

Be an advocate for nurses

Often in the hospital hierarchy, nursing voices do not get heard. Advocate for them. Be their voice so that the healthcare world hears them. 

There are a lot of issues within the system that nurses pick up on. These issues go unaddressed because they are dismissed when brought to light. Help nurses change the world by giving them a platform.

Encourage more learning opportunities

Nursing is a career that is full of growth and opportunity. You can choose to go into countless specialties, and the potential to climb the professional ladder is boundless. 

With that said, working in a stagnant environment will result in more nurses leaving. Offering more opportunities, such as partnerships with nursing schools or employee training courses, will motivate nurses to stay in the challenging environment. It is a good step on how to support nurses and raise nurse retention rates.

Maintain proper nurse-to-patient ratio

Maintaining the correct nurse-to-patient ratio is easier said than done. Many other factors come into play, such as the recent pandemic. It’s crucial to maintain this ratio, as unbalance can cause nursing burnout.

It’s not easy to have a patient's welfare under your hands. This nurse-to-patient ratio ensures that nurses are not drained by the end of their shift, and they are also able to provide better quality care. 

Increase their base pay

Aside from the emotional and physical aspects, nurses also deserve financial compensation. It is no easy task to take care of patients day in and day out. 

A competitive salary is also among the most significant factors in nursing retention. Compensate them well for their services. Show them that everyone in the hospital values their work. This is one of the best ways to support nurses and raise nurse retention rates.

Improve their benefits

Salaries are not the only factor that comes into play. Good benefits with a decent salary will sometimes outweigh a high salary without help. Improving their benefits will increase their loyalty to the institution. 

Insurance, discounts, and freebies are good ways to ensure that you care for your nurses. At the same time, this will make them want to stay working there. 

Give importance to their mental and physical health

It’s good to hear that nurses are taking a stand and voicing out the intense physical and emotional labor that the system requires. 

Try hosting mental health seminars, check-ins, and other activities that could bolster the nurses' morale. Organize programs that encourage physical health, such as hospital gyms. As the primary caregivers, their mental and physical health directly impacts the hospital.

Be vigilant as to nursing bullying

Nursing bullying is an all too real phenomenon that affects hospitals. Always be vigilant and listen to nurses if complaints should arise. This can negatively affect the coordination of the nursing department, as well as cause a significant impact on the bullied nurse. 

Stay on top of issues like this, and be firm in stopping them. Most times, the administration has the power to completely stop these incidents from occurring. 

Make efforts to increase respect toward nurses

Nurses are often undervalued and degraded in today’s society. One way to support nurses and raise nurse retention rates is to make an effort to show nurses that the hospital cares and feels their importance deeply. 

Decrease instances of bullying or stress-related disputes. A healthy work environment goes a long way in keeping the nurses satisfied with the hospital.

Create a safe space for nurses

Always ensure that you are there for the nurses and that they feel this. This could be in the form of a social media campaign, a hashtag, or even a physical space or room in the hospital which you will dedicate to their relaxation.

Support nurses to raise nurse retention rates

Nursing shortages are occurring all over the world. To stop this from happening in your hospital, make sure to have practices and implement measures to support nurses and help raise nurse retention rates. These are simple such as being attentive to what nurses need and listening to what they have to say.