How Nurse Inclusion and Engagement Can Affect Patient Outcome

How Nurse Inclusion and Engagement Can Affect Patient Outcome

Nurse inclusion and engagement are two important factors that can influence the quality of care and the satisfaction of patients in health care settings. Nurse inclusion refers to the extent to which nurses feel valued, respected, and supported by their colleagues, managers, and organization. Nurse engagement refers to the degree of commitment, enthusiasm, and involvement that nurses have in their work and their organization. Both nurse inclusion and engagement can affect patient outcome in various ways, such as:

– Improving patient safety: Nurses who feel included and engaged are more likely to follow safety protocols, report errors, and collaborate with other health care professionals to prevent adverse events and improve patient outcomes.
– Enhancing patient satisfaction: Nurses who feel included and engaged are more likely to provide patient-centered care, communicate effectively, and empathize with patients’ needs and preferences. This can increase patient satisfaction, trust, and loyalty.
– Reducing nurse turnover: Nurses who feel included and engaged are more likely to stay in their jobs, reducing the costs and risks associated with nurse turnover. Nurse turnover can negatively affect patient outcome by disrupting continuity of care, reducing staff morale, and increasing workload and stress for remaining nurses.

Therefore, nurse inclusion and engagement are essential for achieving positive patient outcomes and improving health care quality. Health care organizations should foster a culture of inclusion and engagement by providing nurses with opportunities for professional development, recognition, feedback, autonomy, and participation in decision-making. Additionally, health care organizations should address any barriers or challenges that may hinder nurse inclusion and engagement, such as discrimination, bullying, burnout, or lack of resources.

Works Cited

: Laschinger HKS, Leiter MP. The impact of nursing work environments on patient safety outcomes: the mediating role of burnout/engagement. J Nurs Adm. 2006;36(5):259-267.
: Nantsupawat A, Kunaviktikul W, Nantsupawat R, Wichaikhum OA, Thienthong H, Poghosyan L. Effects of nurse work environment on job dissatisfaction, burnout, intention to leave. Int Nurs Rev. 2017;64(1):91-98.
: Hayes LJ, O’Brien-Pallas L, Duffield C, et al. Nurse turnover: a literature review – an update. Int J Nurs Stud. 2012;49(7):887-905.