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Articles / TipsStrategies for Engaging a Diverse Pool of NursesToday's nursing teams must function in an increasingly competitive marketplace that shifts constantly without warning or apology. Faced with the intensifying nursing shortage and the need for consumer services, these teams are being forced to perform more efficiently and effectively. They need to solve problems, execute decisions, and service consumers in a culturally competent manner. In this challenging environment, common sense dictates that the most successful nursing teams are those that maximize the combined skills of all their nursing personnel. Competencies such as sharing information with others, working skillfully as part of a team, problem solving collaboratively, soliciting different viewpoints, addressing and learning from conflicts and differences, and tapping into co-workers' knowledge, expertise, and talent are required. The following strategies will help nurses develop and lead their teams in such a way as to generate more cohesiveness, cooperation, shared meaning, creativity and effectiveness now as they journey into a better future in nursing. A Clearly Articulated and Co-Created MissionHigh-performance nursing teams succeed when staff throughout the organization share and work from a compelling mission and clear goals that draws both team members and other stakeholders to participate in its realization. The best team missions are ones that are co-created by the aligning of individual and organizational values. An effective mission statement must resonate with people working in and for the team, as well as with the different constituencies that the team hopes to affect. It must express the team's purpose in a way that inspires commitment, innovation and passion to succeed. Identify Shared ValuesShared values are what engender trust and link high-performance teams together. Of all the factors that can overturn a team's efforts to achieve results, that of values differences is the most fundamental. Values shape our relationships, our behaviors, our choices, and our sense of who we are. For any team to function well there must be a commonly shared set of assumptions, expectations and priorities that arise out of organizational values. It is essential that they be integrated into every aspect of the organization's culture. Unleashing Synergy: Aligning the Strengths of the TeamHigh-performance nursing teams evolve over time and require people who possess certain talents, a wide range of diversity skills, and a common vision. These teams attract, hire and select team members who have a passion for what they do, are able to keep lines of communication open, share responsibilities and results, and most importantly know how to work shoulder to shoulder with others. They take time to be with each other, listening and learning about each team member's interests, skills, strengths, and future expectations. They think and act like a team while optimizing and aligning their strengths toward the vision, mission and goals of the team. These are the kinds of nurses you want on your team~ nurses with the inclination and skills to be team players. Collectively Shaping Group Culture through Establishing Team NormsNorms express intentions; they help team members agree on how they want to work together before situations emerge that might otherwise prevent them from getting along. Furthermore, norms provide a context for discussing grievances about team behavior, thereby preventing tensions from mounting and frustrations from festering. Norm setting gives team members an opportunity to express what's important to them and to learn what's important to their teammates. The effective team reflects on the experiences and values of all its members all the while making room for the richness of the totality and helping team members grow and increase their input. Commitment to the Team's Goals and ObjectivesWhile values define a highly successful team, it is the concrete goals and objectives that are the life's blood of vitality. Commitment to goals energizes, empowers and inspires creativity. That is critical, because nursing teams can't afford or get by anymore with mediocre half-hearted performers. Meaningful goals help create a sense of belonging because people feel connected by participating in a worthwhile venture. The process of getting commitment to team goals builds esteem and belonging in the process. Acknowledge Cultural Conflicts
Seamless Team CollaborationTeam collaboration is no longer an option; it is a fact of life in today's healthcare settings. The complexity of tasks and the interdependence of functions make it crucial, that nurses work well shoulder to shoulder with one another. It involves a meticulous understanding of and attention to consumer's desires ... smooth and accurate pass-offs from nurse to nurse and function to function ... a shared focus on doing the right thing right ... a common commitment to show they care. ConclusionIn today's ever-changing health care environment, utilizing strategies is an essential ingredient for success. It is important to remember that teams cannot become what they need to be by remaining what they are. These strategies will help nurse leaders and teams gain valuable information and understanding of the strength of diversity which when fostered will lead their team to greater personal awareness, significantly better teamwork and greater organization efficiency and effectiveness. Breathe New Life Into Your OrganizationThank you for exploring our site Wealth in Diversity |
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Misunderstandings and disagreements occur in every relationship, on every team and in every organization. All too often, people are shut down and out if they bring a different approach to the team. Others try to ignore misunderstandings, hoping that the disagreement will just go away. In fact, teams cannot achieve their highest performance without raising differences in perspectives and having disagreements. These differences are needed to foster the creative tension that, when worked through, enables teams to break through barriers and exceed expectations. The challenge is not to suppress those differences but rather to address them in ways that provide the opportunity for new thinking and ideas. Respect for differences goes a long way toward building good will and extending cooperation.