This episode of Better Every Shift for Nurses focuses on the "long game" of nursing culture, featuring an in-depth conversation with Renee Thompson, the founder of the Healthy Workforce Institute. We dive into the hidden layers of workplace incivility, exploring the concept of the "near enemy"—those "squishy," covert behaviors like backstabbing and exclusion that are harder to define than overt bullying but just as damaging to a team.
Outright bad behavior is easy to see and manage. It’s the ‘not quite right’ behaviors that are actually harder to pick up and realise how damaging they are.
In Part A of our series on civility, Renee Thompson joins us to share her journey from the bedside to becoming a global advocate for healthy workforces. After a "worst-of-her-life" 14-month stint as a unit director, Renee realised that healthcare is hard enough without coworkers making it harder. We tackle the uncomfortable reality of staffing crises and the dangerous "math" managers do when they tolerate a behaviorally toxic nurse because they are afraid to lose a "clinically competent" body.
The Near Enemy vs. The Far Enemy: Why love and hate are clear, but the "squishier" behaviors of exclusion and backstabbing are harder to hold people accountable for.
Rules for Engagement: How to use the Talking Stick technique and established common ground to resolve clashing between different teams or departments,.
The Compact of Professional Behaviors: A simple, one-page tool where every team member contributes to defining how they will—and will never—treat each other.
Leading Your Own Groundswell: What to do when your own boss isn’t supportive of a better culture. Hint: You are the adult, and no one is coming to save you,,.
Therapeutic Extraction: Why playing the "long game" by removing a toxic employee actually results in a waiting list of people who want to work in your department.
Bridging the Gap with HR: Moving past the "brick wall" by using collaborative documentation and building a behavioral case based on evidence, not just feelings.
Standing Agenda Items: A practical tip for un-normalizing bad behavior by making "Healthy Workforce" the first item on every meeting agenda.
[00:00:00] Intro The "Near Enemy" concept
[00:03:00] Renee Thompson’s journey: Bedside nursing to the Healthy Workforce Institute
[00:06:00] Scenario: Managing clashing managers and "animosity between teams"
[00:08:00] The Talking Stick and rules for engagement
[00:10:00] Creating a Compact of Professional Behaviors
[00:13:00] When your leader isn't on board: Creating your own groundswell
[00:15:00] The Toxic Nurse Math: Why one toxic nurse is never better than no nurse
[00:19:00] Partnering with HR: Collaborative documentation and building a case
[00:23:00] The link between civility and patient safety
[00:25:00] Making healthy workforce a standing agenda item
To access Resources from Renee Thompson and Healthy Workforce Institute visit here: https://healthyworkforceinstitute.com/
Tea Room Notes:
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