Feeling safe and supported in your workplace should be a given, but sadly this is not always the case for healthcare staff. The acute pressure on the NHS is trickling down and putting the psychological safety of our nurses under serious threat. In this article, we discuss the importance of psychological safety in a healthcare setting and how you can help implement positive change as a nursing professional.
What is psychological safety?
Psychological safety is being able to share your concerns, thoughts and questions without the fear of being ostracised. In the workplace, a physiologically safe environment is one where employees can speak up, ask for help or air a grievance without judgement or punishment.
Why is psychological safety important?
Psychological safety helps create a sense of trust, openness, and mutual respect among team members, leading to increased collaboration, innovation, and productivity. This is imperative in the world of nursing, especially given the NHS crisis. It is more important than ever for nursing professionals to stand up for what they believe in and use their voices to implement positive and lasting change.
Furthermore, psychological safety is crucial for nurse well-being. A psychologically unsafe workplace can lead to burnout, stress, and other negative outcomes, including absenteeism and turnover. In contrast, a psychologically safe work environment can boost morale, job satisfaction, and retention rates.
How can I promote psychological safety at work as a nurse?
1. Start the trend
Share your opinion in meetings, show interest in your colleagues’ suggestions, be open about your thoughts and encourage feedback. Start the trend and watch others follow in your footsteps. It only takes one person to open the dialogue!
2. Support learning and development
Create a culture of continuous learning and development. Encourage ongoing education and training and provide opportunities for skill-building and professional growth. Ask your superior if there is a certain training opportunity you would like to benefit
3.Prioritise self-care
Encourage your peers to prioritise self-care and provide resources and support to help them manage stress and burnout. Perhaps there’s a yoga class you go to that keeps you calm at the end of a long shift? Or maybe a podcast that always lifts your spirits on the way back from work? Whatever your secret to relaxation - sharing is caring!
Remember that if you can take care of yourself, the more effective you will be in your capacity to care for others.
Want to talk? Give our team a call on 0203 929 4010 today to find out more about our current nursing opportunities.
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