Abstract
People yearn for a return to community, seeking a sense of connection with others. Community in the workplace is increasingly important, because many of us spend more time at work than we do anywhere else! The authors discuss community at work and the stages of formation that true communities experience. Practical helpful strategies for the nurse leader are shared.
Nurse leaders struggle to prioritize the many recruitment and retention strategies proposed in the literature, by professional organizations, and at conferences and workshops. Even organizations not experiencing a labor shortage understand that with the first wave of baby-boomers reaching retirement age, attaining and maintaining a vital and viable workforce is becoming a priority healthcare issue. What are the most effective retention strategies? Creating a sense of connection among workers and between employees and the organization is a proven strategy. 1
Commitment to the organization is strengthened when events and occurrences increase the employee's emotional connection with his or her work group and when there is strong group cohesiveness. 2,3 Called affective commitment, it is built from strong healthy working relationships and a sense of community within the work group. These factors increase the emotional ties that bind employees to each other, as well as the community they form. The positive effect on turnover has been demonstrated. 1,4