Shift Status Checks; Mentoring Shift Leaders to Drive Outcomes

Purpose:
Mentoring charge nurses to be an extension of the nurse manager can bring ownership of strategic goals to the bedside every shift. With a strong level of commitment to the leadership growth of charge nurses, nursing secures succession planning.

Relevance/Significance:
A status check is a proactive vital sign check on a nursing unit for the upcoming shift. Focus goals of quality, safety and staffing are discussed with the shift leader or charge nurse by the nurse manager as standard work. It easily identifies areas of concern for the shift, proactively discusses options and mentors leadership vision. This provides a platform to drive the professional practice of the growing leader each shift each day.

Strategy and Implementation:
A status check is a standard work document that is reviewed at the beginning of each shift between a manager and the shift leader. The document is a guide to proactive discussion and solutions that focusses on the goals and mission of the unit/hospital. It is not a worksheet to be completed but rather a focused discussion with goal alignment. Each item on the status check must align with the goals and focus and be able to be reinforced on a shift basis. Quality, safe care is the overall purpose of the check in while mentoring the new informal leader. The manager uses the status check document as a guide for proactive discussion to the shift. Any potential risks to quality, safety or staffing are reviewed as a part of the document. The charge nurse leaves the status check aware of his/her focus for the shift and is equipped with solutions to any risks. The nurse manager leaves with a better understanding of the unit for the shift and where he/she may step in to impact the outcomes.

Evaluation:
>90th percentile CAUTI/1000 foley days >90th percentile CLABSI/1000 Central Line days >90th percentile falls with injury/1000 patient days >90th percentile hospital acquired pressure ulcer Only one case of preventable VTE Employee engagement: 70th percentile national rank “my department director sets clear goals for our department” 76th percentile national rank “My supervisor communicates well”

Implications for Practice:
Continuous communication and support to the bedside on quality and safety goals impacts outcomes. All staff is clearly communicated to with a unified vision from all levels of leadership with the use of a status check.