Which leadership strategy should be utilized to reduce nursing turnover and wait times in an ER?

Empowering nurses to use holding areas for patients is an effective leadership strategy for reducing nursing turnover and wait times in an ER. When nurses are given the authority to utilize holding areas, they can better manage patient flow and alleviate overcrowding in the emergency department. This approach allows nurses to maintain a more organized and efficient environment, thereby reducing stress levels and potential burnout, which are significant contributors to turnover rates.

Additionally, holding areas help in the timely assessment and treatment of patients, effectively decreasing wait times as patients can be processed and prioritized without overwhelming the main treatment area. This not only benefits patient care but also creates a more supportive environment for nursing staff, fostering job satisfaction and retention.

In contrast, increasing patient to nurse ratios could lead to a more stressful work environment and increased workload for nurses, potentially exacerbating turnover and wait issues. Expanding the triage area space may improve patient processing but doesn’t directly address the overall workflow effectiveness or nursing satisfaction. Empowering human resources to hire externally might help in staffing levels but does not solve the immediate challenges related to patient management and nurse retention within the existing team.