Why Soft Nursing Is Important?

I have been working as a part-time contractor at an academic hospital and one of my roles is to help with nonclinical nursing research. Last week I attended an internal session where one of my co-authors, Melisa Hayman, presented results of our recent published study about nurse stress. During the talk she mentioned a term that I had not heard–soft nursing. She explained that it referred to hospital nurses deciding to take on an easier or “softer” role when the demands of hospital nursing became too much. I have been doing research on nurses for more than a decade, and the term resonated with me and has me thinking about why soft nursing is important.

The Challenges of Hospital Nursing

Nursing is a tough job. It can be stressful both physically and psychologically. Hospital nursing can be particularly difficult, as nurses must provide safe and effective care while under pressure. Nurses in hospitals are exposed to all possible threats to employee health and safety. They are exposed to physical hazards, social hazards, and violence. They endure verbal mistreatment from patients and from colleagues. Nurses also deal with emotionally difficult situations with serious ill patients and their families. They do this often on units that are understaffed due to nursing shortages and high turnover.

Why Soft Is Nursing Important

Nurse retention is why soft nursing is important. Sufficient staffing is needed so hospitals can provide the best care possible. The concept of soft nursing recognizes that for many nurses, burnout can lead them to search for a role with less stress. It is important that hospitals prioritize the psychological well-being of their nurses. A good start is to institute programs to provide the best working conditions possible. This includes

• Providing emotional support. An important role for nurse leaders is to support their nurses and peers. Periodic check-ins and having an open door policy are good places to start.
• Providing career development. Training should be available for both clinical and nonclinical skills. Systems that allow nurses to build skill sets needed to achieve career goals are helpful.
• Focus on work-nonwork issues. Policies that allow flexibility are important in retaining nurse talent.
• Empowering nurses. Giving individuals a say in decisions that affect them, and allowing autonomy when possible about how, when, and where they do their jobs can help nurses cope with stress.
• Sound leadership. Leaders set the tone for a unit. This includes providing fair treatment, being there to help nurses do their jobs, and structuring the unit so it works efficiently.
• Creating a caring and supportive culture. The five suggestions above all contribute to a positive culture within a hospital. When people value one another and create a psychologically safe climate, everyone is able to thrive.

Creating a healthy and safe work environment is important for all employees and all industries, but it is particularly vital in cases where people are working in tough environments like nursing. Healthcare organizations need to put as much effort into taking care of their nurses and other staff as they do their patients.

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