Awareness of the value of healthy work environments is not new. Researchers have found that healthy work environments support better patient outcomes1–3  and better nurse outcomes by lowering the proportion of nurses intending to leave a position in the next 6 months.4–6  The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) published the first Healthy Work Environment standards in 2005,7  later updating them with minor revisions in 2016. The standards remained the same in both versions: skilled communication, true collaboration, effective decision-making, appropriate staffing, authentic leadership, and meaningful recognition.8 

Now more than ever, healthy work environments matter. The pandemic— with its surges of very sick patients, increased number of deaths, and added patient support needs amid visitation limits—has increased nurse stress, including moral distress.9–12  These pressures make it a critical time to support the health and well-being of nurses in order...

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