At the medical clinic in Ljungby, there is a wonderful atmosphere among the employees. But in recent times there has been high staff turnover and departments 2 and 3 have been co-located. “How can we create conditions so that the work environment or patient safety are not affected?” Department manager Chantal Fournier thought a lot about that.
– The new function lead nurse was created to secure the work environment, patient safety and provide security to our employees but above all also new employees. We saw someone who had broad competence and extensive experience within our business. Björn also has a pedagogical approach which is an important part of strengthening employees. We are proud of his function, says Chantal Fournier, one of the department heads at the medical clinic.
Safe employees – increased patient safety
In a clinic where patients with various complex diseases are cared for and where there is often a fast pace, a lot is required of a nurse. As the lead nurse, Björn is not included in regular staffing, which is a prerequisite for him to be able to have an overall picture and be where he and others see that his efforts are needed.
– Because I move over the entire department, I notice where we need to increase knowledge and what training efforts are needed. Knowledge gives security and in that security you can develop. In this way, patient safety also increases when you are safe and confident in your job, he says.
– For a new nurse, I may need to be extra support for a while. It can take a while to land on the feeling that you know the tasks and then staff who are used to and experienced can spend time on their work instead of supporting the new one, says Björn.
Björn is also a supervisor and ensures that various training efforts are carried out. It is also his mission to provide extra support and knowledge to the staff in orthopedic ward 5 who have medical patients.
Part of the work to reduce rent dependency
As part of the work to reduce the rental dependency of nurses, adaptations were made to maintain care places and from October 2, 2023, medical departments 2 and 3 will be co-located in Ljungby. Now the employees have adapted, the number of nurses has increased and the load does not feel as heavy as at the beginning. In the work towards becoming rent-dependent, the lead nurse is there to ensure that the staff have the right conditions and tools to do a good job.
Björn sees his new role as meaningful, but of course there are also challenges.
– This is a completely different way of working than my previous one. Now I don’t have the patient contact I previously had, which is a challenge in itself. The employees must also get used to my presence and use me and make use of the skills I have, he concludes.
