Clinical nurses in Magnet hospitals confirm productive, healthy unit work environments.

To describe extent to which experienced nurses in Magnet hospitals confirm healthy work environments (HWE). Differentiating differences in HWE allows managers to focus attention where changes may be needed to improve nurse and patient outcomes. The sample was 12,233 experienced nurses from 717 clinical units in 34 Magnet hospitals. Based on Essentials of Magnetism II unit level scores, units were grouped as very healthy work environments (VHWE), HWE or work environments needing improvement. VHWE or HWE was confirmed by nurses on 82% of 540 clinical units. The most significant correlates of HWE units occur within individual hospitals. More nurses prepared at the Bachelor of Science in Nursing level or above work on VHWE or HWE units and score higher on seven essential work processes. Nurses' ratings of quality of patient care directly correlate to quality of work environment. Clinical units in 34 Magnet hospitals were markedly skewed toward excellence. Visionary leadership, empowerment and collaboration have an impact on development and maintenance of HWE. Implementation of structures that promote interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary collaboration and decision-making positively affect development of HWE. Gap analysis of the steps/components of the eight work processes/relationships essential to HWE may enable achievement of HWEs on all hospital clinical units.

Kramer M ，Maguire P ，Brewer BB 《-》

Essentials of a Magnetic work environment: part 2.

Kramer M ，Schmalenberg C 《-》

Confirmation of a healthy work environment.

Kramer M ，Schmalenberg C 《Critical Care Nurse》

The relationship between healthy work environments and retention of nurses in a hospital setting.

The purpose of the present paper was to determine the effect a healthy work environment has on the retention of nurses in a hospital setting. There is a nursing shortage that has been ongoing and is expected to continue, resulting in challenges for the healthcare system in the United States. The significance of this issue is the impact the nursing shortage will have on healthcare organizations and patients. The present paper included an extensive review of the current literature. The literature reviewed encompassed scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles. This article focused on nurses, work environments and the impact of the work environments on retention. Important issues that emerged from this analysis were the dangers of an unhealthy environment, the impact a healthy work environment has on patient outcomes and retention, the Magnet link to healthy work environments and the manager's role in creating and sustaining a healthy work environment. The literature provided evidence of the link between healthy work environments and the retention of nurses in a hospital setting. The implications for management are to implement changes now to create a healthy work environment that will recruit and retain nurses to secure their position in the future.

Ritter D 《-》

Clinical units with the healthiest work environments.

Schmalenberg C ，Kramer M 《Critical Care Nurse》