Page 39 - BusinessWest July 11, 2022

The ‘comfort cart’ at Mercy Medical Center’ is one of many steps being taken to improve morale and battle stress.
not nurses yet, but they’re in college,” she explained. “They do this outside of their clini- cal practicum. In their junior or senior year of college, a student is able to get a job at the local hospital, practicing and learning since we know they’re in a nursing program; we show them the ropes a lit- tle bit more. It’s a great experi- ence for a nursing student.”
Meanwhile, hospitals are taking steps to improve the overall experience for nurses, through initiatives like quiet rooms, or what Mercy calls ‘zen rooms.’
Quiet rooms are specifical- ly designed to have minimal noise, allowing nurses a wel- come break from the stress
of an average day. Nurses
are encouraged to practice breathing techniques, medi- tate, and decompress while in these rooms. Most rooms
discuss these feelings. It is very important to be able to do that. We’re working to promote and include self-care in their everyday lives.”
Space and quiet aren’t the only way hospitals in the area are making their nursing staff feel appreciated. Facilities are raising the bar when it comes to ongoing work to keep their nurses motivated and wanting to work.
“It’s a struggle to find fun things to do to keep people engaged and excited and interested that don’t tax our resources,” said Chevalier, adding that Mercy continues to look for ways to sup- port its nurses.
Care Package
Facilities also offer smaller incentives such as food truck events, family and friend picnics, and an extra week of vacation to help nurses relax.
Mercy Medical Center has come up with the ‘comfort cart’ — the executive team travels the entire hospital with a car filled with snacks and “trinkets of appreciation,” said Chevalier.
A popular favorite at area hospitals has been meals and appreciation picnics with the fami- lies. Hatiras said his staff’s most popular pick is Chick-Fil-A meals.
Taking such steps is just one way hospi-
tals are addressing a problem that began well before the pandemic but has been put into new perspective by what are challenging and truly unprecedented times. u
to pick from the best of the best that’s out there and really make sure they’re not just an aca- demic good fit, but a cultural good fit.”
Miller told BusinessWest that one step taken at Baystate was to hire 39 student nurses from
a Student Nurse Association Program (SNAP) to help further their learning at Baystate Medical Center. The program provides experience for the student nurses and introduces them to Baystate — and the job opportunities there. “They’re
even include a massage chair and minimal- interaction videos.
“We’re investing in and learning more about the antidote to fatigue and burnout — that is the ability for our nurses to become resilient,” said Miller, noting that Baystate has created eight quiet rooms for its nursing staff. “In order to identify and address stress, we’re creating an environment where we can openly share and
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