Solutions to Staffing Dilemmas

Three nurse managers had 15 minutes each to share their sure-fire answers to common staffing problems.

Develop nurses. Can't find experienced OR nurses? Train them yourself, says Donna Ferguson, RN, MBA, director of outpatient surgery and the GI lab at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital in Valencia, Calif. Look for new hires who've worked in plastic surgeons' office-based practices, OB-GYN C-section procedure rooms or cath labs and pair inexperienced hires with veteran mentors who enjoy sharing their knowledge with others.

Bridge generational gaps. Ann Geier, MS, RN, CNOR, CASC, senior vice president of operations for Ambulatory Surgical Centers of America, discussed ways to leverage the varied talents of different generations so each plays a key role in your success. Plan varied activities that incorporate a variety of teaching and learning strategies, be flexible and enthusiastic, and understand that all generations value educational opportunities that allow growth in their professions.

Keep staff satisfied. How can you reward valued employees on a tight budget? Donna Smith, MT, CASC, administrator of The Surgery Center in Oxford, Ala., told attendees to deliver personally signed cards on special occasions, leave small tokens of appreciation on employees' desks, hold annual employee appreciation days and always remember to sincerely thank staff members for jobs well done.

— Dan Cook