Nursing managementPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2026-07-31DOI: 10.1097/nmg.0000000000000390
Michelle A McKay, Amy McKeever, Linda Carman Copel, Janette E Herbers, Abigail Knight, Christine Pariseault, Michelle M Kelly
{"title":"Frontline health care workers as parents: The pandemic's effect on family relationships.","authors":"Michelle A McKay, Amy McKeever, Linda Carman Copel, Janette E Herbers, Abigail Knight, Christine Pariseault, Michelle M Kelly","doi":"10.1097/nmg.0000000000000390","DOIUrl":"10.1097/nmg.0000000000000390","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic created significant psychological and relational challenges for frontline health care workers (FHCWs), particularly those with parenting responsibilities. Disruptions such as increased workload, quarantine, and reduced childcare support strained family functioning.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To examine the relationships among COVID-19 exposure and impact, parental depressive symptoms, and family relationships in FHCW parents, and to test whether depression mediates these associations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study used data from 71 FHCW parents participating in the COVID-19 Caring about Health for All study. Participants completed validated measures including the COVID-19 Exposure and Family Impact Scales (CEFIS), PROMIS Family Relationships Short Form, and CES-D-10 for depressive symptoms. Correlation and regression analyses assessed associations and mediation effects while controlling for demographic variables.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Greater COVID-19 exposure and impact were associated with poorer family relationships. COVID-19 impact was significantly related to higher depressive symptoms, and depression was negatively associated with family relationship quality. Regression analyses indicated that depressive symptoms mediated the relationship between COVID-19 impact and family relationships, reducing the direct effect of pandemic-related stressors.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>COVID-19-related stress adversely affected family relationships among FHCW parents, with depressive symptoms playing a key mediating role. Targeted interventions addressing mental health may help mitigate family strain and support workforce well-being during public health crises.</p>","PeriodicalId":35637,"journal":{"name":"Nursing management","volume":" ","pages":"29-36"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148537109","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nursing managementPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2026-07-31DOI: 10.1097/nmg.0000000000000391
Stephanie Elston, Amanda Skidmore, Melissa Bryan, Cristina Winchester, Max V Wohlauer, Jeffrey J Glasheen
{"title":"The bending point: How the physical toll of bedside care is pushing nursing staff out the door.","authors":"Stephanie Elston, Amanda Skidmore, Melissa Bryan, Cristina Winchester, Max V Wohlauer, Jeffrey J Glasheen","doi":"10.1097/nmg.0000000000000391","DOIUrl":"10.1097/nmg.0000000000000391","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Nursing staff face relentless physical demands that may contribute to decisions to leave the bedside. The link between routine physical tasks and staff turnover remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aimed to quantify the physical demands of bedside care and explore how these demands relate to pain and turnover intentions within surgical units.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Staff completed a survey measuring pain severity, location, and career impact. An ergonomist conducted passive observations using a tool created to identify the frequency of risky bends. The data collected identified correlations between physical workload metrics, pain reports, and turnover intentions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>More than 58% of survey respondents reported moderate to severe pain after shifts, predominantly in the lower back. The ergonomic analysis revealed that nursing staff perform approximately 48 000 risky bends annually. Notably, more than 44% of respondents planned to leave their direct care roles within 2 years, identifying pain as a primary factor.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>More than half of direct care surgical nursing staff report leaving their shifts in moderate to severe pain, and almost 65% of surveyed staff consider leaving their position due to this pain. Back pain, the most prevalent pain reported, may link to frequent risky bending, as measured by a purpose-built observation tool.</p>","PeriodicalId":35637,"journal":{"name":"Nursing management","volume":" ","pages":"21-28"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148537112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nursing managementPub Date : 2026-08-01Epub Date: 2026-07-31DOI: 10.1097/nmg.0000000000000395
Marian Altman, Caryl Goodyear
{"title":"Meaningful recognition in health care: A strategic imperative for workforce well-being and retention.","authors":"Marian Altman, Caryl Goodyear","doi":"10.1097/nmg.0000000000000395","DOIUrl":"10.1097/nmg.0000000000000395","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35637,"journal":{"name":"Nursing management","volume":"57 7","pages":"10-12"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148631804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nursing managementPub Date : 2026-07-01Epub Date: 2026-07-02DOI: 10.1097/nmg.0000000000000381
Ashley M Carlucci, Lindsey Colangelo, Stephanie Lonzo
{"title":"Find Your Best Fit: An innovative orientation model cultivating connection and commitment in new graduate nurses.","authors":"Ashley M Carlucci, Lindsey Colangelo, Stephanie Lonzo","doi":"10.1097/nmg.0000000000000381","DOIUrl":"10.1097/nmg.0000000000000381","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>New graduate nurse turnover remains a critical workforce challenge, particularly in organizations dependent on early-career clinicians. At University Hospitals (UH) Ahuja Medical Center, first-year RN turnover exceeded 60%, driven by unmet expectations, limited leader connection, and poor cultural alignment.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To evaluate the impact of Find Your Best Fit (FYF), an innovative orientation model designed to improve retention, engagement, and cultural alignment among newly licensed nurses.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>FYF employed a 12-week rotational orientation in which new graduate nurses completed 2-week rotations across medical-surgical telemetry, orthopedic/surgery, step-down, and observation units, with supplemental specialty shadowing. Weekly one-on-one meetings with nursing leaders emphasized mentorship, emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and career alignment. Participants selected their permanent unit upon program completion based on perceived fit and professional goals.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Within 1 year, first-year RN turnover decreased by 32%, overall nurse turnover declined by 8%, and employee engagement increased by 30%. All 12 inaugural participants remained employed at 1 year. Qualitative feedback reflected strong support, teamwork, and confidence in role selection.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>FYF demonstrates that orientation is a strategic investment in people and culture. Human-centered, leader-engaged onboarding can meaningfully improve retention, engagement, and long-term workforce stability through intentional alignment and belonging.</p>","PeriodicalId":35637,"journal":{"name":"Nursing management","volume":" ","pages":"27-33"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148273269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nursing managementPub Date : 2026-07-01Epub Date: 2026-07-02DOI: 10.1097/nmg.0000000000000386
Beth Nease
{"title":"Improvising through ambiguity: Jazz leadership principles for nurse leaders.","authors":"Beth Nease","doi":"10.1097/nmg.0000000000000386","DOIUrl":"10.1097/nmg.0000000000000386","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>This article examines how principles of jazz (improvisation within structure, shared leadership rooted in mutual respect, and embracing mistakes and ambiguity) can inform effective nursing leadership. In increasingly complex health care environments, traditional hierarchical models limit adaptability, whereas a \"jazz leadership\" approach fosters collaboration, creativity, and resilience. Drawing parallels between jazz ensembles and nursing teams, the author highlights strategies to enhance decision-making, innovation, and succession planning. By cultivating psychological safety, distributed leadership, and adaptive problem-solving, nurse leaders can better navigate uncertainty and strengthen team performance while maintaining high standards of patient care and safety.</p>","PeriodicalId":35637,"journal":{"name":"Nursing management","volume":" ","pages":"41-47"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148273285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nursing managementPub Date : 2026-07-01Epub Date: 2026-07-02DOI: 10.1097/nmg.0000000000000388
{"title":"Uncertainty in gender-affirming care: Implications for nursing leadership and organizational practice.","authors":"","doi":"10.1097/nmg.0000000000000388","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/nmg.0000000000000388","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35637,"journal":{"name":"Nursing management","volume":"57 6","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148370090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nursing managementPub Date : 2026-07-01Epub Date: 2026-07-02DOI: 10.1097/nmg.0000000000000383
Tim Porter-O'Grady
{"title":"Accountability grids as a structural instrument for role clarity and professional governance in nursing.","authors":"Tim Porter-O'Grady","doi":"10.1097/nmg.0000000000000383","DOIUrl":"10.1097/nmg.0000000000000383","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Role ambiguity undermines effective professional governance in nursing, particularly in complex, rapidly evolving health care systems where decision-making authority is distributed. This article introduces accountability grids as structural tools that clearly define ownership, decision rights, contributions, and expected outcomes across nursing roles. Unlike traditional job descriptions, these grids make accountability visible and actionable, reducing confusion, improving coordination, and strengthening trust. By aligning roles with organizational goals and clarifying interdependencies, accountability grids support more consistent decision-making, enhance engagement, and promote sustained excellence in patient care within professional governance frameworks.</p>","PeriodicalId":35637,"journal":{"name":"Nursing management","volume":" ","pages":"34-40"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148273219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nursing managementPub Date : 2026-07-01Epub Date: 2026-07-02DOI: 10.1097/nmg.0000000000000382
Rachell Nguyen
{"title":"Active listening in nursing leadership: A critical analysis.","authors":"Rachell Nguyen","doi":"10.1097/nmg.0000000000000382","DOIUrl":"10.1097/nmg.0000000000000382","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>This article critically analyzes active listening as a key nursing leadership competency influencing staff engagement, psychological safety, and patient outcomes. Drawing on theoretical frameworks such as transformational and authentic leadership, the review synthesizes empirical and conceptual literature to evaluate how active listening enhances organizational culture and workforce resilience. Despite barriers such as time constraints and limited research, evidence links effective listening to improved job satisfaction, reduced turnover, and better care quality. The analysis highlights the need for integrating active listening into leadership development, organizational practices, and future research to strengthen nursing leadership effectiveness and health care outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":35637,"journal":{"name":"Nursing management","volume":" ","pages":"49-54"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148273261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}