Importance of Creating a Healthy Work Environment in a Nursing Unit in the Post-Pandemic Era

Abstract

This quantitative descriptive study investigates staff perceptions of the post-pandemic work environment in a nursing unit, concentrating on how these perceptions align with the six Healthy Work Environment (HWE) standards. A HWE plays an essential role in increasing staff satisfaction, decreasing nurse turnover, improving patient care outcomes, and empowering nurses. As healthcare systems evolve in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding staff experiences and satisfaction is crucial for fostering a supportive work culture. The study uses quantitative methodologies and deductive reasoning, analyzing variables and their relationships to form conclusions and collect data regarding nursing staff’s experiences and perceptions across various aspects of the post-pandemic work environment. The six HWE standards, skilled communication, true collaboration, effective decision-making, appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition, and authentic leadership, serve as the framework for analysis. Fifty-one nursing staff members were eligible to complete the 2020 and 2024 surveys due to their employment spanning these years. The staff members' perception of their environment provides insight into improvement opportunities after the effects of the pandemic. Initial findings reveal a decrease in each HWE standard, indicating that COVID-19 had a negative impact on the nursing workforce and environment. The HWE standards most affected and reviewed for this study were skilled communication, true collaboration, and authentic leadership. Based on these findings, the study proposes targeted, unique strategies and interventions to enhance the work environment in these three standards. This research highlights the critical need for healthcare administrators to prioritize creating a healthy work environment by tailoring specific strategies related to the unit’s needs. By addressing challenges identified through the Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWEAT) survey, nursing units can cultivate a more positive, engaging, and productive workplace that ultimately benefits staff and patients.