If you have concerns to raise with nurses, resist the temptation to direct them only to the most senior nursing staff, Mr. Christensen said. "It makes a world of difference to address a nurse by name," he added. If you don’t know a nurse’s name, ask directly, so the nurse feels included.
Taking 2 minutes to discuss the plan of care for complicated patients directly with the nurse and seek the nurse’s input will pay off in the long run, he said. With any patient, providing brief targeted bedside education for nurses by not just saying what will be done, but why, gets nurses more engaged in the clinical care team and better prepared to anticipate treatment of similar patients in the future.
Being approachable and complimenting nurses who are doing a good job also pays off, Mr. Christensen said.
"Be a leader, not a commander," he said. "Managers manage process and leaders lead people. If you want to know which you are, just look behind you. If there is no one there, you are just going for a walk."
Dr. Wiler and Mr. Christensen reported having no financial disclosures.