Due to increased pressure, heightened safety protocols, and long hours, hospital staff are suffering from burnout, leading to turnover rates that make administrators’ heads spin.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the current labor shortage will get worse before it gets better. The need for registered nurses will increase by 9% within the next ten years, adding 194,500 unfilled positions every year. Key word? Unfilled.
But it’s not all doom and gloom.
Much of the stress and pressure stem from outdated working conditions and limitations in institutions’ processes and procedures. And technology can help, quickly and cost-efficiently:
Communication
Old Way – Bulletins in the staff or break room.
We don’t have to go too far into this for you to see the issue here. The healthcare industry is constantly moving. New processes. New equipment. New viral infections. Making sure that nurses are aware of these changes is essential for them to do their jobs safely and efficiently. Yet how can you know if all your nurses are reading the memo? You can’t.
New Way – A digital frontline workplace where everyone communicates from their personal device.
As mentioned, keeping nurses informed is critical. With a digital frontline workplace, staff members have access to the information they need, right in the palm of their hands. As well, they can quickly and efficiently respond with questions and feedback.
Training
Old Way – Training is often done on sight on specific days.
But what happens when these trainings are scheduled on a nurse’s day off? Are they expected to come in anyway? The answer is yes. Like you, we care about the health and wellbeing of your staff. Keep reading for an alternate solution.
New Way – A digital frontline workplace that includes a training center and a way for you to monitor who has taken the training.
From videos to presentations, links to content, a digital frontline workplace provides your staff with a way to stay up to date with their training, and they can do it right in the flow of their daily activities. As well, it’s just as easy for you to monitor who has and hasn’t completed the training and assessment.
What else can a digital frontline workplace do?
The right digital frontline workplace orchestrates your workforce. Communication and training are two quick examples, but a frontline solution such as WorkJam unifies all processes across a frontline’s activities. Everything from shift flexibility and swapping, task management and monitoring, and more are all streamlined across one app on your staff’s personal devices.
How can a digital frontline workplace positively impact the labor shortage?
We’re glad you asked!
Join us on Tuesday, July 19th, during McKnight’s Long-Term Care News’ Online Forum to find out.
Sherrie Dornberger, Executive Director at NADONA/LTC, along with Mike Zorn, WorkJam’s Vice President Workplace Strategies, will be sharing their insights on labor shortage along with strategies for successfully overcoming the healthcare staffing crisis.