The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Clinical Scene Investigator (CSI) team in the medicine 1 unit at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, focused on enhancing nurse retention by improving the morale of the staff, through fostering a collaborative work environment where everyone feels comfortable with their roles and responsibilities and is encouraged to seek help when needed. In order to assess the effectiveness of their interventions, the CSI team used the AACN Healthy Working Environment Assessment Tool (HWEAT) survey.
The CSI team administered the AACN HWEAT survey to collect baseline data. The team then introduced monthly events aimed at fostering camaraderie and enabling staff members to build connections with one another. The team provided encouragement and support to staff members who wanted to pursue further education or certification. A recognition board was created to showcase the achievements of staff members in the unit. Near the end of the...