ONS Connect - April 2008 - (Page 11)

Platt recognizes staff members’ extra efforts by sending thank-you notes to them at home and to their supervisors. initiative under way throughout the University of Louisville Health Care system aimed at increasing satisfaction among patients and staff. “It’s our commitment to be not only patient advocates but also employee advocates,” Platt says. Platt, along with other nurse managers throughout the health system, “round” on each employee regularly to seek out “good things that have happened each month.” Each rounding session provides a structured opportunity to discuss what resources might be lacking to perform that day’s job successfully or to comment on any processes that aren’t working well. Employees are asked to give the leadership insight on what’s really needed to get each job done and how an ineffective process might be managed. “It’s important to give people an opportunity to take ownership of how things are done,” Platt says. “When managers follow through on what’s discussed, it shows we really value involvement by staff.” Staff members are encouraged to share stories of coworkers who deserve to be recognized for special reasons, “such as service over and above the rest, dealing well with a particularly difficult situation, etc.,” Platt says. “I then send a handwritten note of thanks to that person at home and another one to their supervisor. Depending on the activity, the acknowledgement may also be sent to the vice president of oncology, who may choose to report it right up to the CEO of the hospital and cancer center, and they’ll send notes, too. It takes a lot of time to do all of this, but to hear a great employee say, ‘You actually took the time to send a note to my house!’ or ‘Wow—you really do think we do a good job’ makes it worthwhile.” In the cancer center itself, Platt orchestrates a number of activities designed to encourage recognition and retention, such as an extensive nursing Join the ONS Management and Program Development Special Interest Group The ONS Management and Program Development Special Interest Group (MGT SIG) mission is to promote excellence in oncology nursing management and program development. Among its goals are to facilitate networking and consultation among oncology nursing managers and to promote information sharing on management and program development topics. For more information or to join the MGT SIG, visit http://management.vc.ons.org. APRIL 2008 11 ONS CONNECT http://management.vc.ons.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ONS Connect - April 2008

ONS Connect - April 2008 Contents Editor's Note Just In Work-Life Balance A Year in the Life—Month Four Web Connect Capitol Connection Notice Nursing Now Enhance Your Professionalism in Your Daily Practice Help Patients Integrate Yoga Into Cancer Care Caregiver Care Epigenetics Offers New Options for Cancer Diagnosis Working for You Calendar of Events Staying on Top

ONS Connect - April 2008

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