HWE standards appear to mitigate pandemic’s effects on nurses

An October 2021 survey of registered nurses across all practice areas revealed an anticipated decline in their work environments during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the survey also revealed evidence of a positive relationship between implementing the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Healthy Work Environment Standards and the health of nurse work environments. A similar relationship was found between the health of nurse work environments and job satisfaction, and between job satisfaction and the intent of nurses to leave their current positions or to stay. AONL members Beth Ulrich, EdD, RN, principal investigator, and Connie Barden, MSN, RN, AACN’s chief clinical officer, led the research, which was published in Critical Care Nurse. (Newswise news release, 8/4/22)