training

The shortage of RNs is really hurting the sector

It’s an ongoing problem that was difficult to deal with before Covid 19 hit but has been exacerbated now with the lockdowns and mass vaccination programme that is currently underway. It appears that no health care organisation is immune from being affected, albeit to a lesser degree in some places. As you see, I’ve also been affected with having to cancel all Clinical Updates due to lack of participants. While it is not as dire for me as for facilities, it’s having an impact across the board.

While no one can blame nurses from leaving lower paid jobs for those that are paying more, it’s till disheartening to see. I’m left wondering how this could be avoided because a lot of research around why employees leave their jobs is rarely because of money. You’ll see in this video, that no one mentioned low pay as a reason to leave their job.

While many do leave for higher wages, there’s still enough evidence to suggest that if a person is happy in their work, they like the culture, and their colleagues, are supported by management, receive recognition for the work they do are better motivators for a person to accept lower pay than leave to chase the mighty dollar.

While receiving higher wages does give short term gain, it may not offer the same amount of satisfaction as their previous workplace. There is still multiple reasons for this but sometimes more money does not necessarily help the person in their day to day life.

So, what is the cost of choosing more money over happiness and job satisfaction?

Well, to the individual it may increase their stress levels. Their inner critic may also be reminding them that you left a job they loved for money which has not actually compensated them for that loss. It could make the person sad, regret the decision they made and often as a consequence end up spending the extra money they earned on other ways to try and make them happy.

If you are thinking of leaving your current job, that you love, then take a look at this video.

The new job, with extra money, may not be all it makes out to be. While your current employer may not be able to pay your money, there may be other ways in which your employer can reward you. So, if you get a job offer for more money, before you just jump ship and take the offer, have a talk to your employer. See what they can come up with for you to stay because if you are a valuable employee, they would rather keep you than lose you. Any employer knows that to lose a good employee will cost them up to 3 times your wage/salary to replace you up to 12 months to get the new person up to the level you are at now.

So, my question to you is what are the real benefit to you to leave your current job, apart from money? Do this exercise and you may well change your mind about the extra dollars.

The power of giving back

by Leigh Kelly

Last month I talked about being grateful for what we have. This month I am going to talk about the power of giving back or paying it forward.

So what has sparked this for me to want to write about it? Well last month I advertised on Face Book the library that is now available for professional development educations hours. One response came back with “About time nurses had protected education time and that it was paid for”

Now I didn’t respond to it because I do not feel we need to get into a tit for tat, right wrong sort of debate in a public forum like Face Book as there are too many negative posts on there any way.

However, my question is “Whose responsibility is your practicing certificate?” It is not the DHB or your employers. It is yours. If you don’t keep up with your professional development and fail the competencies for your practicing certificate, do you really think the DHB or your employer is going to enable you to keep working No! They will look to replace you tomorrow.

Do not think you are so precious and indispensable. Who every employs you owes you nothing? You owe it to yourself and your patients/residents/clients to keep up to date with current information AND pay for it yourself. You can look at it as paying it forward: being grateful that you have work because a lot of people don’t. Think more about what you can contribute rather than what you can take. What has happened to our community? Is it no longer cool to give back?

This year, I have purchased for my grandchildren so cards Acts of Kindness or AOK. These cards are about encouraging people to be kind. The first card I picked up said “Children love toys under the tree. Buy something for someone not as lucky as me.” The next card I pulled was “Candy canes are a Christmas treat. Leave some for strangers now that would be neat.” The third care said “Ring someone for no reason at all. Tell them you love them on that call.”

Now it struck me that if we could foster some of this kindness in our workplace, then what a great place it would be. Instead of your employer thanking you, why don’t you thank them for a change. Instead of your employer paying for you to work and train, why don’t you pay for your own training to thank your employer for giving you the opportunity to work.

I know it is easy to think your employer has an infinite amount of money and can pay to keep you in work. The reality is they do not have a pot of gold available to pay for everything they would like. I am sure they would like to pay you more. I’m sure they would love to be able to give all the staff you need to make your job easier. I’m sure they would love to be able to pay for unlimited training to keep your skills up. But they don’t.

Having a job is a privilege not a right. Show some gratitude towards your employer and do something for them this Christmas. Show them you appreciate them: that they do not only help you put food on the table and roof over the head of your family. That you appreciate them giving you the opportunity to feel worthwhile and valued; that they give you a reason to get out of bed in the morning. That they give you a reason to smile each day and care.

Remember giving back doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. It is the little things that count. 2020 has been a hard year for everyone so why not let’s make 2121 a year of giving and forgiving. Of loving and appreciating everyone around you. Of spreading love, not gossip and falsehoods.

May your Christmas be one of joy and giving. Of loving and laughter. Of joy and thankfulness. Till next year. Merry Christmas.

A new era of training is emerging

by Leigh Kelly

Covid-19 has forced many people to embrace other methods of training and communicating. The face to face classroom is no longer the only way to learn. Many businesses are now resetting their methods of training as we have seen with the universities. However, some people are resistant to change and want to keep the status quo. It is a bit like the swing away from cheques to online or mobile phone banking. Some just will not do it.

However we all know that now some banks are no longer accepting cheques and when we do receive a cheque it is not an easy option to bank it. Is training going to go the same way? I believe it will and whether we like it or not, it is the way of the future.

Zoom meetings and training have mushroomed over recent months, with many people using zoom in a variety of ways to communicate, be it for training, running meetings or for catch ups with families and friends.

So, what are the advantages of online training as opposed to face to face training?

Can be done anywhere anytime
All learners get the same information
No travel required
Annual leave is left untouched
Staff don’t need to be replaced to let one staff member off to attend training
Easier to get multiple members of staff trained at the same time

So, what are the disadvantages online training

Option for discussion is reduced but not impossible
Unable to network with people from other facilities
Less cost effective as may only send one person instead of many
Cost of travel, time off and replacement of staff to attend

The feedback we got from the online learners at the clinical update has been very positive. Being able to attend Online Real Time and the Recorded options for the Clinical Update ticked all the advantages listed. I have found also that people using Care Training Online get positive result. I know it takes a shift in mind set to go online as opposed to face to face learning. We all don’t like change that much as I said, but once we get past that block it is easy. I remember when I first started using a projector for training. It really scared me but now it is dead easy and I wouldn’t be without it. When I started using Zoom I messed it up but now I really like it. We just have to practice, be bold and try something new.

So, give online a go. With some encouragement from you for your staff, it could save you not only a lot of time but also a lot of money too. On top of that that your residents will get great care. What a bonus.

training

Footer