Abstract
Meaningful Recognition is one of 6 components of a healthy work environment and one of the easiest to leverage for nursing leaders (AACN,2022). With the impacts of the pandemic over the past two years and especially the exacerbation of nursing shortages it is important to identify and understand what is truly meaningful to nurses when they are recognized. Using the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Healthy Work Environment (HWE) as the theoretical framework, the researchers wanted to understand what meaningful recognition means to nurses in differing settings given the effects of the pandemic on an already stressed workforce. Members of seven Sigma Theta Tau chapters in the state of Maryland were asked to respond to an online survey consisting of demographic data and questions exploring meaningful recognition and the healthy work environment using tools with established reliability and validity. One hundred sixty five nurses from a variety of practice settings, roles, and demographics responded to provide insight into what meaningful recognition is to them as well as provided responses to how well they perceive being meaningfully recognized in their places of work. A descriptive correlational design was used. Thematic analysis demonstrated themes in the type of recognition valued by nurses as meaningful. Earlier studies of meaningful recognition have identified differences between generations and between nursing leaders and their nursing staff (Johansen, Cordova, Weaver, 2021; Leger, Lajoie, Wood, 2021; Salvant, Wycech, Alexander, 2020). It is important to have congruency between the giver and the receiver of meaningful recognition to have the greatest impact (Lefton, 2012). By identifying meaningful recognition types, and employing them, leaders can better leverage this HWE tool. This study found three distinct themes of recognition that is considered meaningful by this sample, financial, personal recognition, and professional development. In addition the study uncovered opportunities for further discovery of new knowledge around gender, cultural and ethnic preferences.
Sigma Membership
Pi at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Descriptive/Correlational
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Meaningful Recognition, Healthy Work Environment, Appreciation
Recommended Citation
Wiseman, Rebecca and Sweeney, Cynthia D., "Meaningful Recognition to Nurses: A Contemporary Perspective to Support a Healthy Work Environment" (2025). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 11.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2023/presentations_2023/11
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Austin, Texas, USA and Virtual
Conference Year
2023
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-10-14
Meaningful Recognition to Nurses: A Contemporary Perspective to Support a Healthy Work Environment
Austin, Texas, USA and Virtual
Meaningful Recognition is one of 6 components of a healthy work environment and one of the easiest to leverage for nursing leaders (AACN,2022). With the impacts of the pandemic over the past two years and especially the exacerbation of nursing shortages it is important to identify and understand what is truly meaningful to nurses when they are recognized. Using the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Healthy Work Environment (HWE) as the theoretical framework, the researchers wanted to understand what meaningful recognition means to nurses in differing settings given the effects of the pandemic on an already stressed workforce. Members of seven Sigma Theta Tau chapters in the state of Maryland were asked to respond to an online survey consisting of demographic data and questions exploring meaningful recognition and the healthy work environment using tools with established reliability and validity. One hundred sixty five nurses from a variety of practice settings, roles, and demographics responded to provide insight into what meaningful recognition is to them as well as provided responses to how well they perceive being meaningfully recognized in their places of work. A descriptive correlational design was used. Thematic analysis demonstrated themes in the type of recognition valued by nurses as meaningful. Earlier studies of meaningful recognition have identified differences between generations and between nursing leaders and their nursing staff (Johansen, Cordova, Weaver, 2021; Leger, Lajoie, Wood, 2021; Salvant, Wycech, Alexander, 2020). It is important to have congruency between the giver and the receiver of meaningful recognition to have the greatest impact (Lefton, 2012). By identifying meaningful recognition types, and employing them, leaders can better leverage this HWE tool. This study found three distinct themes of recognition that is considered meaningful by this sample, financial, personal recognition, and professional development. In addition the study uncovered opportunities for further discovery of new knowledge around gender, cultural and ethnic preferences.
Description
Summary: This session shares what is meaningful recognition to nurses in the current healthcare landscape. Meaningful recognition is a vital tool for leaders to leverage in creating and sustaining a healthy work environment.