Nurse leaders said allowing days off when necessary and listening and responding to feedback from nurses were the two most effective strategies for improving staffing at their organization, according to an American Organization for Nursing Leadership Foundation's study.
The 2024 Longitudinal Nursing Leadership Insight Study has surveyed leaders since July 2020. The latest report, based on a survey conducted November 2023, included responses from 2,476 nurse leaders. The survey tracks nurse leaders' top challenges, effective solutions, mental health needs and areas for support.
Here are 17 solutions for staffing, along with their median score for effectiveness:
Note: Respondents ranked each solution on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being "very effective."
Allowing days off when necessary: 3.5
Listening and responding to feedback from our nurses: 3.5
Increasing wages, bonuses or compensation: 3.4
Increasing nurse recognition: 3.4
Offering flex scheduling: 3.3
Increasing share governance: 3.3
Partnering with nursing schools: 3.3
Unit-based educators: 3.3
Adding or increasing float pool: 3.2
Allowing adequate time for meals and breaks: 3.2
Offering scholarships for work commitment: 3.1
Providing more mental health and wellbeing services: 3.1
Implementing or increasing workplace violence prevention programs: 3.1
Adding LPN, CNA, or PCA staff: 3.1
Increasing support services (e.g., housekeeping, dietician, transport): 2.8
Adding nonclinical staff: 2.7
Implementing fatigue countermeasures: 2.7