Great care starts with great culture, and nurses know when a workplace truly supports them.
A nurse’s work environment directly influences the quality of patient outcomes. When nurses feel supported, respected, and empowered, patients experience better care, safer outcomes, and improved satisfaction.
That’s not just subjective — it’s supported by research. For instance, one study shows that factors like supportive management and autonomy in nursing practice enhance patient experiences and overall care quality.
In addition, the American Hospital Association notes that “patient safety, patient experience, workforce experience, and well-being” are all connected to an organization’s culture of safety. In other words, everyone benefits when organizations invest in their work environments.
As a result, healthcare organizations that prioritize a positive work culture often report:
- Fewer operational errors and improved safety
- Better care outcomes
- Improved nurse retention and engagement
- Greater patient satisfaction and trust
So creating spaces where nurses can do their best work benefits not only clinical staff but also the entire care delivery system.
Better work environments lead to better care
A healthy nursing workplace isn’t just nice to have. It’s a necessity.
A study revealed that supportive nurse work environments can significantly lower mortality rates and increase patient satisfaction. These environments create the foundation for nurses to perform at their highest level, not just clinically, but emotionally and mentally. A culture that fosters trust, open dialogue, and collaboration enables nurses to anticipate patient needs and respond proactively.
Amanda Gibson, RN, BSN, Mid-Market Account Executive, Government Division at Relias, shared that morale is also a critical component of a healthy work environment. Reflecting on her experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, she explained that her leadership team made it a priority to foster a positive workplace culture even with limited resources.
At her previous employer, traditional events weren’t always feasible, so her team would get creative. Initiatives like spirit week brought together staff from all departments for themed dress-up days and surprise treats like snow cones delivered by leadership. These simple, low-cost activities helped strengthen team relationships, boost morale, and improve communication, all of which contributed to a more collaborative environment and better patient care.
What defines a workplace where nurses can thrive?
Thriving work environments don’t happen automatically. They’re built intentionally, grounded in professional ethics, and shaped by best practices. Two nationally recognized frameworks guide this: the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) Nurses’ Bill of Rights and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Healthy Work Environment standards.
Together, they set a clear standard for what nurses should expect and demand from their workplaces, which includes these six areas:
Communication
According to Nurse.com’s 2024 Nurse Salary and Work-Life Report, 54% of nurses said not feeling heard at work negatively impacts their mental health and well-being. In supportive and psychologically safe environments, nurses are empowered to speak openly, raise concerns, and engage in active dialogue without fear of retaliation.
This aligns with the ANA position that nurses have the right to be heard and to freely voice ethical concerns, clinical judgments, and patient safety issues.
Gibson, who has been a nurse for over 15 years, also added that open communication leads to reduced errors and safer care for everyone.
"Communication breakdowns still lead to a majority of the errors occurring in healthcare, and when errors occur, healthcare providers could not only face legal consequences, but the patient may be harmed irreversibly, and the organization may be penalized," she said. "Good communication processes and strategies are crucial for effective project management and making improvements that enhance patient care and safety."
Collaboration
Collaboration involves teamwork, mutual respect, shared responsibility, and recognizing nursing expertise. Many studies have found that nursing teamwork improves care delivery.
When nurses collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, they create care plans, solve problems, and advocate for patients. Research also shows that collaboration in healthcare settings reduces hospital readmission and decreases mortality rates.
Decision-making and autonomy
Nurses don’t just carry out policies. They help shape them. The AACN promotes shared governance and inclusive decision-making as foundational to healthy environments.
This model empowers nurses to take an active role in influencing policies, protocols, and improvements within their units or organization. The ANA supports this by asserting nurses’ right to participate in decisions that affect their practice, patient care, and workplace conditions.
Appropriate staffing
Twenty-eight percent of nurses reported a more reasonable workload as a top factor in staying in the profession, according to the Nurse.com report. Both the ANA and AACN agree that safe staffing is non-negotiable.
Chronic understaffing jeopardizes patient safety and nurse well-being. Thriving workplaces should maintain appropriate nurse-to-patient ratios, assess acuity regularly, and include nurses in staffing discussions.
Meaningful recognition
Recognition can take many forms, such as peer nominations, recognition programs like The Daisy Award, leadership shout-outs, or opportunities for advancement. In a study by the AACN, 53% of respondents agreed that recognition directly influences job satisfaction, and those individuals also reported no intention of leaving their current role.
Celebrating nurses’ achievements increases job satisfaction, reinforces a sense of value, and fuels continued excellence. Even small, consistent gestures of appreciation can significantly boost morale and foster a more supportive workplace culture.
Leadership
Nurse leaders directly influence culture, safety, and professional integrity. In Nurse.com’s report, 60% of nurses reported that a lack of responsive leadership negatively affected their mental health and well-being.
To combat this, leaders should create an environment where nurses feel safe to express concerns, take initiative, and grow professionally. When leadership is grounded in trust and accountability, nurses feel valued and supported.
The ripple effect of a supportive nursing workplace
Research shows that nurses who feel supported are more engaged. They collaborate better. They stay in their roles longer. And they go the extra mile for patients and their colleagues.
And when one nurse thrives, it often inspires a shift across the entire unit or organization. In essence, a positive work environment becomes the foundation for clinical excellence.
Is your workplace making an impact?
Nurses continue to drive powerful change in healthcare, but not all workplaces make it easy.
Ask yourself:
- Does your workplace empower you and your colleagues to lead care innovations or quality improvement initiatives?
- Are your voices heard and acted on through feedback or leadership engagement?
- Does your organization foster a culture where collaboration and new ideas are supported and implemented?
If so, that’s the mark of an empowering nursing workplace, and now is your chance to recognize it.
Nominate your organization
Great workplaces don’t happen by accident. They’re built with the intention of bringing out the best in people. If that’s where you work, nominate your organization as a Top Workplace for Nursing.
Nominations for the 2026 Top Workplaces for Nursing will open on September 1, 2025. For the second year, Nurse.com will honor outstanding workplace culture in nursing. Qualifying organizations must employ at least 50 nurses or have a workforce with at least 35% nurses.
Anyone can nominate an outstanding company. The nomination deadline is December 12, 2025. Eligible companies can be public, private, non-profit, a school, or even a government agency. To nominate your organization as a Top Workplace or for more information on the awards, please visit: https://www.nurse.com/nursing-top-workplaces/
There is no cost to participate. To qualify as a Top Workplace for Nursing, employees evaluate their workplace using a short 26-question survey that takes just a few minutes to complete. Companies will be surveyed through mid-February.
Energage, the Pennsylvania-based research partner for this project, conducts Top Workplaces surveys for media in 65 markets nationwide and surveyed more than 2 million employees at more than 8,000 organizations in the past year.
“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a celebration of excellence,” said Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage. “It serves as a reminder of the vital role a people-first workplace experience plays in achieving success."
Learn more about the seven employers recognized as Top Workplaces for Nursing in 2025.
Final thoughts
Nurses know what a strong workplace looks like. Now is your chance to highlight one that truly supports its team and patients. A healthy work culture for nurses creates healthier outcomes for patients.
