Improving Outpatient Nurse Satisfaction and Productivity Using a Hybrid Teleworking Model

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project is to improve outpatientspecialty nurses’ job satisfaction and work productivity by integrating a hybrid telework schedule for the nursing staff. Background: The landscape of healthcare is changing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, manyprofessions adopted work-from-home (WFH) models. Technological improvements have allowed people to work efficiently remotely while maintaining their productivity. With burnout rising, especially among healthcare workers and nurses, finding solutions to reduce burnout and increase job satisfaction is imperative. Burnout can result in a lack of empathy, exhaustion, mental health issues, and poor patient outcomes (Sullivan et al., 2022b). One solution to reduce burnout and increase staff satisfaction and retention is implementing a WFH hybrid model for outpatient nursing staff (Friganovic et al., 2019). Methods: This QI project used the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model to implement a hybridwork-from-home model for seven outpatient specialty RNs at Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System (SAVAHCS). The RNs worked from home one day each week while their counterparts worked in the clinic. RN satisfaction was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) survey to assess burnout and an RN job satisfaction question to assess job satisfaction. RN productivity was measured by the number of notes, addendums, and secure messages completed during the pilot compared to those completed pre-pilot. Results: Five out of seven RNs reduced their burnout scores, increased job satisfaction, andincreased note completion productivity. All participants scored an 8/10 or higher for job satisfaction after the pilot. Conclusion: This QI project showed improved outpatient specialty RN satisfaction with a work-from-home hybrid model. A majority of participants in the pilot decreased burnout scores and increased overall job satisfaction. Participant productivity for note completion also increased during the pilot. It is recommended that a work-from-home hybrid model for outpatient specialty RNs be implemented permanently.