Models of care insight study showcases need for better change management and a renewed focus on staffing and retention

It is incredibly tough working in healthcare these days. People are feeling overworked, stressed out, burned out and, at times, traumatised. These challenges are driving huge employee turnover rates in many organisations. Alarmed by this unfolding crisis, many organisations are working hard to create better experiences for caregivers and patients alike. They seek to answer the question How do you create a healthcare system that’s sustainable for both the human element and the financial side? This paper overviews the Models of Care Insight Study, which was conducted with nurses and nurse leaders in response to these issues to identify new models of care, identify disconnects inside organisations, and ultimately use the ideas and data to improve working conditions for all in healthcare. It presents some of the important findings of the study, zeroing in on the widespread resistance to change, the differences between the perceptions of leadership and front-line staff, and the need for more emphasis on and clarity around development opportunities. Finally, the paper delves into some solutions. It provides some best practices for helping organisations overcome resistance to needed change and moving people through the defiance, compliance, reliance cycle. And it tackles the turnover issue head on, sharing tactics for improving staff retention by creating a sense of belonging from the very beginning of the interview process.