SCCM Resource Library-Keeping Nurses as Part of Our ICU Teams

Pdf Summary

The Clinical Spotlight in the Spring 2023 edition of "Critical Connections" addresses the challenges of staffing shortages in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and highlights the importance of working cohesively as teams. The article recounts a "code blue" incident where the absence of an ICU nurse during resuscitation efforts highlighted the critical staffing gaps that healthcare teams often face. SCCM President, Dr. Vinay M. Nadkarni, emphasized the theme "Better Together" during the Critical Care Congress 2023, underscoring the internal and external challenges, like burnout and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, that threaten cohesive team functioning.<br /><br />Nursing shortages have historical roots tied to state laws, financial constraints, and healthcare policies. The present situation is exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing stress and dissatisfaction among ICU nurses. A significant decline in job satisfaction among nurses has been noted, with only 76% expressing satisfaction in 2021 compared to 91% in 2018. An alarming 67% of ICU nurses intend to leave their positions within three years, highlighting a profound profession-wide concern.<br /><br />To address these issues, integrating the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses' (AACN) Healthy Work Environment (HWE) standards is essential. The six standards—skilled communication, true collaboration, effective decision-making, meaningful recognition, authentic leadership, and appropriate staffing—foster a supportive environment that can mitigate dissatisfaction and intention to leave. ICUs implementing these standards reported higher job satisfaction and retention rates compared to those that did not.<br /><br />Lauren R. Sorce, an expert in nursing research, emphasizes that enhancing workplace conditions through such strategies is crucial to retain ICU nurses and improve patient care outcomes, reinforcing the principle that healthcare is most effective when teams work harmoniously, reflecting the notion of being "Better Together."

Asset Subtitle

Administration, 2023, 0:02:54

Asset Caption

"This article was first published in the Spring 2023 issue of Critical Connections.

Nursing shortages are not new and have been researched for decades. State laws, health policies, national finances, and burnout have all contributed to nursing shortages over the years. What is unique in the current environment is the intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic with an already existing nursing shortage.

Critical Connections, the critical care industry’s only newsmagazine, provides information on cutting-edge topics in critical care useful to the entire multiprofessional team."

Meta Tag

Content Type Article

Knowledge Area Administration

Knowledge Level Foundational

Membership Level Associate

Membership Level Professional

Membership Level Select

Tag Nursing

Year 2023

Keywords

ICU staffing shortages

team cohesion

code blue incident

nursing burnout

COVID-19 impact

job satisfaction decline

nurse retention

Healthy Work Environment

AACN standards

Better Together

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