Aligning insights, data, and resources to support nurses' health and well-being

Nurses are the lifeblood of healthcare. But, for years, they've faced extreme challenges that have hindered well-being and engagement. Then things came to a head during the pandemic. As a result, nurse turnover reached its highest two years on record: In 2021, turnover peaked at 27.1%, leveling off around 23% at the end of last year.

We can—and we must—do better. Investing in the well-being and success of the nursing workforce needs to be a central focus of healthcare organizations and the industry as a whole.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Compass One Healthcare and the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation®, in collaboration with Press Ganey for data and content expertise, have joined forces. Together, we are developing innovative solutions to support and empower the nursing workforce.

Compass One Healthcare is a provider of support leadership and personnel to hospitals, and a longtime Press Ganey partner. They give nurses the resources and support they need to excel, and thrive, both at work and home. Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation® is an ANA initiative to improve the health and well-being of over 5 million U.S.-based nurses by focusing on nutrition, physical activity, rest, quality of life, safety, and mental health.

A core belief fueling this collaboration is that nurses’ health, wellness, and effectiveness are all interconnected. And when nurses can perform at their best, we see the best outcomes in patients, too.

Supporting nurses on the front lines of care

Demands on nurses are higher than ever. A rise in workplace violence. Higher-than-ever patient expectations, especially around cleanliness and safety. Not to mention a global pandemic, which exacerbated workplace conditions and put nurses across the country directly in harm’s way.

Compass One Healthcare is pioneering innovative support services that empower hospitals to better empower nurses, including:

• Food and nutrition services at more than 950 hospitals
• Environmental services (housekeeping) at over 600 hospitals
• Patient observation (patient sitting) and patient transportation services across the country
• Strategic partnership support for Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation® and the creation of educational content on nutrition
• Content creation for Project Firstline—a national education program to improve infection prevention and control practices to protect patients, nurses, and other healthcare professionals
• While we’ve seen significant progress, there’s more work to do, as nurses navigate an uncertain future and new challenges that will, inevitably, emerge.

3 ways to cultivate a thriving nursing workforce

Press Ganey data shows that, to provide exceptional, high-quality patient care, nurses need the support of their leaders. They also need to be able to work at the top of their license—a goal often impeded by non-nursing tasks like food and nutrition services, environmental services, patient observation, and patient transportation.

1. Prioritizing physical well-being beyond the physical: Implementing practical yet impactful measures, like providing healthy snacks and accessible meal options, ensures nurses have the energy they need to be their best selves at work and at home. Compass One Healthcare actively champions nurse well-being by replacing unhealthy snacks with more nutritious options, promoting hydration, encouraging breaks, and providing quick access to healthy to-go meals. It’s just as important to prioritize nurses’ mental health, and address any psychological stresses they face.
2. Gathering nurse feedback: Regularly soliciting feedback from nurses is key to understanding their challenges, needs, and concerns. This lets healthcare organizations identify areas for improvement—and even crowdsource solutions—ultimately leading to a stronger connection between nurses and their organization and a better overall experience on the job.
3. Alleviate non-nursing tasks: Many hospitals haven't fully optimized their workflows. Nurses are forced to spend valuable time on non-nursing tasks that could be delegated to other team members or addressed by technology. Streamlining these processes can reduce stress in nurses, improve their workload management, and empower nurses to practice to the full potential of their expertise. Through collaboration with support services partners like Compass One Healthcare, nurses can dedicate more time to what they do best: caring for patients.

It’s important to remember that we’re all in this together. Through close collaboration, we will be able to improve the work environment for the nation’s nurses—and all healthcare professionals. To learn more about the work Compass One Healthcare, ANA, and Press Ganey are doing, download their latest e-book: “Helping nurses heal.”

To speak directly with a Press Ganey expert, reach out to our nursing consultants.