May 19, 2006

VUMC taking part in nursing survey

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VUMC taking part in nursing survey

Vanderbilt University Medical Center wants to know what its nurses think about everything from physician-nurse working relationships to professional development.

For the second year in a row, VUMC is participating in the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators Satisfaction Survey, an online survey of nursing staffs from more than 170 hospitals across the nation.

“VUMC is about delivering the best possible patient care and our nursing staff serves a vital role in making that happen every day,” said Marilyn Dubree, M.S.N., chief nursing officer. “We rely on their involvement to help shape the future of what we do.”

Participation of each of VUMC's 2,200 nurses helps Vanderbilt assess core strengths and areas for improvement.

Last year, 71 percent of the nursing staff participated. Results showed that VUMC nurses have a high satisfaction rate compared with most hospitals.

The early launch of Smooth Moves, the patient moving program, was in large part due to feedback from last year's survey.

This year, VUMC administrators have set a goal of 75 percent participation during the June 5-25 survey, which takes about 30 minutes to complete and is completely confidential.

“This survey is a way to empower our staff to have input into things that have the potential to make their work life better,” said Jamie Wiggs, R.N., co-manager of the VUH Trauma Unit.

Questions cover topics such as nursing competence, job satisfaction, autonomy, decision making, nursing management and job enjoyment. Answers are kept confidential and can be filled out at any unit work station, clinic or home computer.