Hundreds of nurse leaders filled the room for a presentation on dealing with difficult people during the annual OR Manager Conference in October 2015—a testament to the prevalence of bullies and disruptive behavior in the OR environment. “In early 2011, a Google search was run using the terms ‘nurse bullying’…
The use of storytelling and listening to staff stories can be a valuable tool to help OR managers understand and mitigate workplace challenges and incivility. These are the findings of a doctoral study by Patricia Littlejohn, MBA, RN, CNOR, director, neurosciences and program development, Regional Medical Center, San Jose, California.…
The most successful perioperative services leaders are those who have built excellent teams that balance individual responsibility and accountability with respect for all team members, regardless of the roles they play. To create that culture, OR leaders must model the behavior and attitudes they expect from their staffs. One way…
When it comes to filling OR nursing positions, finding candidates who can fit into that environment is one challenge, and getting them up to speed quickly is another. Perioperative nurse leaders and educators at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, have found it worthwhile to invest in their surgical technologists…
Although ambulatory surgery center (ASC) staff show a slightly greater inclination to change jobs than they did in 2014, staffing remains relatively stable in a market with continued recruitment challenges and slower volume increases, according to the 25th annual OR Manager Salary/Career Survey. Nearly one-fourth (24%) of respondents reported an…
As part of the 25th annual OR Manager Salary/Career Survey, nearly one-fourth of respondents from ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) reported an increase in the turnover rate for RNs in the past 12 months, and many said they have at least one open position. In the comments section of the survey,…
Perhaps no other departments in a hospital work as closely together as the OR and the sterile processing department, yet friction isn’t uncommon as both areas strive to meet service demands. Although the relationship between the two is unlikely to ever be free of tension, leaders of both departments increasingly…
Editor's Note The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission has voted unanimously to approve the state’s first nurse staffing mandate. It calls for no more than two patients to be assigned to one nurse in all ICUs, including burn units and NICUs. In some cases just one patient is assigned to one…
Privacy violations, work distractions, wasting time—with all these risks, who needs social media? You do. Social media is key for OR leaders to successfully manage their professional lives. Savvy leaders accept that social media is a two-sided coin. “The reality is that every post, Tweet, and text is filled with…
Developing a vacation selection process that is fair to everyone can be a daunting challenge for OR managers. The right balance between flexibility and adequate coverage can make or break staff satisfaction. Having time away from the hospital is important for all OR personnel, but perhaps none more so than…