Table 1.
Some key areas for clinicians to consider to help keep nurses on the ICU
| Recognition, respect, and value |
| Acknowledgment of important role; recognition of high levels of training, knowledge and skills, situational awareness and crisis management skills, and personal qualities and commitment/ dedication as individuals |
| Role and responsibility |
| Recognition of responsibilities in complex patient resuscitation and management, recognition of deterioration and patient safety events,involvement in complex decision-making |
| Intellectual stimulation and professional development |
| Encouragement, mentorship, and support in development of new knowledge, skills career opportunities and growth |
| Teaching opportunities |
| Encourage leadership role, mentor and support while creating teaching opportunities to other nurses, doctors…, at (inter)national meetings |
| Good leadership and management |
| Positive, constructive feedback to encourage development of new expertise, promote engagement and encourage in quality of care, patient safety and research |
| Team work/collaborative practice |
| Active involvement within team, participation in unit activities |
| Clinical discussion and exchange |
| Sharing, initiating education opportunities and formal/informal open discussions about pathophysiology of illnesses, patient care, and safety |
| Good work-life balance/wellness/rehumanizing the workplace |
| Explore, discuss acceptable working hours (part-time?), ensure supportive team structures to promote and allow safe workloads, adequate breaks and opportunities for self care |
| Psychological support |
| Normalize mental health impact of care, promote team debriefings and individual support, promote collegial support, promote access to professional support, access to wellness initiatives |
| Humane care |
| Promote recognition of the person in patient and family care, promote participation in end-of-life discussions and team collaboration to understand the uniqueness of each situation/its impact on all involved and implications on communication and how the end-of-life should be approached to convey respect for patients/families in decision-making on treatment goals and limits, and during withholding/withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment or palliative care |