The Importance of Meaningful Faculty Recognition in Creating a Healthy Academic Work Environment: A Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

AIM The purpose of this study was to understand nursing faculty's perceptions of meaningful recognition and how it contributes to a caring academic climate. BACKGROUND A supportive, healthy work environment is critical in recruiting and retaining nursing faculty. Research on caring for faculty through meaningful recognition and the impact on the workplace climate is limited. METHOD The study employed a parallel mixed-methods design in which quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated into synthesized conclusions. A total of 193 full-time faculty participated in the survey portion of the study; 15 full-and part-time faculty participated in video-conferenced focus groups.RESULTS Results of this study demonstrated that meaningful recognition contributes to a caring workplace, motivates faculty work performance, and impacts faculty roles in positive ways. CONCLUSION For recognition to be meaningful, it must be genuine, aligned with faculty's perceptions of performance, commensurate with level of effort, and relevant to individuals.