Staying Connected with Staff Who Work Remotely

By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN

“How do I stay connected with my staff who work remotely?” This is a crucial leadership topic because many nurse leaders have staff who now work remotely. Some have acknowledged that they have not been intentional in staying connected – initially thinking that the remote work was just a temporary situation. Now almost six months into COVID-19, they realize they know little about what these nurses are experiencing. Their virtual staff meetings are packed with updates about policy changes and the achievement of performance goals with no time allotted for personal discussion. For some leaders, it is time for a reboot. The following are five suggestions and ideas that nurse leaders have shared with me:

A Weekly Inspirational Message – In an upcoming article in Nurse Leader, Dr. Angela Prestia writes about the use of thoughtful weekly Monday morning messages to continue to inspire staff working remotely. The stories she shares in her messages are powerful reminders to staff that they are not alone during this challenging time.
Virtual Office Hours – Some leaders have designated specific hours of their week with open time slots to connect with their staff. One leader told me that she initially scheduled a 1:1 virtual meeting with each staff member to learn more about their situations and any work challenges. Now the staff feels very comfortable scheduling time in with her. The leader needs to be the one to make sure that 1:1 meetings occur regularly.
Ask Staff to Turn their Video on During Virtual Staff Meetings – One way to check on how the staff is doing is to watch their body language and communication during virtual meetings. A leader shared with me that a troubling trend had developed with her remote staff – they were “on the call,” but their webcams were off, and they rarely participated in the meeting. She openly discussed the problem, and participation is much improved when the webcams are on. She also has worked hard to have staff talk with one another during these calls by asking good questions.
Quick Connections – The essential factor is communication. You can’t over-communicate during these turbulent times. Show your employees you care and are thinking of them by sending them a quick instant message or a text a few times a week to check-in. Ask them- how can we grow together as a team during this and what do you need from me?
Build Trust – It is more challenging to lead staff when you can’t meet face-to-face in the same room, but always assume the best intentions about the nurse and their accomplishments. Some leaders may think nurses are not working or not communicating enough. Some nurse leaders have shared with me that they have had to restrain themselves from micromanaging staff who work remotely.

We are learning to lead differently during COVID-19. It will take time and practice, but by making an effort to build an effective remote work team where members feel connected to each other, and the organization will have tremendous payoffs moving into the future.

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Read Rose Sherman’s book available now – The Nurse Leader Coach: Become the Boss No One Wants to Leave