Sustaining ED Change with Engage
Emergency departments face critical challenges that demand effective leadership and cohesive teamwork. To gain insight into how these challenges can be met head-on, we spoke with Dustin, a seasoned emergency department leader, about his firsthand experience with Engage. Dustin’s experience with Engage, Powered by ENA showcases a strategic approach to enhancing leadership and team dynamics in high-pressure environments.
A Partnership Begins with Listening
The collaboration kicked off with Engage diving deep into the needs of Dustin's team through comprehensive surveys. It wasn't about assumptions; it was about listening. The initial steps provided a clear understanding of the emergency department's needs. Dustin recalls the experience, "They came on site, talked to around 60-65 of us, to truly understand what we needed”. This wasn't a one-size-fits-all approach but a tailored strategy focusing on leadership, communication, and building a culture of recognition and support. He continues, “I think that as time went on they recognized the need to offer a variety of options and that they had done that, where you can really customize what your department needs based on what the leaders that are already there think”.
Strategic Moves and Measurable Gains
Engage's blend of individual coaching, group development sessions, and the formation of culture-building teams, like the Healthy Work Environments Champion Group, showcased their commitment to addressing specific needs. Dustin explains, “It was about doing the actions that needed to be done in order to improve the culture, and once you see people do that and do that repetitively it starts to become practice, and that's what I saw”. The initiatives launched, including a simple yet effective peer recognition bingo game, brought fresh energy to the team. "It was people being more aware of how they treat each other, how they help each other, and how they show up to work every day," Dustin reveals.
Sustainability and Continued Growth
The true testament to Engage's effectiveness? The initiatives are still going strong. The culture of recognition and its initiatives continues to thrive, driven by the emergency department's staff. "Knowing that the foundation is still there, the work is still happening three or four months later, and the groups are still meeting with new ideas speaks to its success overall," Dustin proudly shares.
Every success story comes with lessons for the future. Dustin pointed out areas for enhancement, such as better tracking for program impacts and ensuring broader participation in included offerings like ENA memberships. These reflections are indispensable for evolving and ensuring that the benefits of such partnerships only grow more substantial and impactful over time.
A Lasting Legacy
Reflecting on the journey, Dustin emphasizes the lasting change Engage brought about stating, "The most valuable thing I would say is the foundation that Engage laid, and it’s a testament that the work in groups they created is still continuing even though they aren't there". Dustin's story is just one of many ways Engage can help your team change the dynamic of leadership and innovation through a partnership built on understanding, customization, and action.
Experiences like Dustin's with Engage provide a model for how tailored and strategic interventions can address the unique challenges of emergency nursing leadership, leading to sustainable improvements in department culture and team dynamics.