Recent studies show jobs in health care are some of the most challenging and dangerous, with 73% of all non-fatal workplace injuries due to violence taking place in the health care industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This puts strain on managers in health care facilities, who balance their own well-being with a team of doctors and nurses.

Loretto Health and Rehabilitation has responded by offering employees new programs to become better managers and assist in the day-to-day challenges and rewards of the job.

Spending time with patients is the most rewarding part of the job, says nurse manager Mary Jean Morales.

“I take care of people who get to tell me stories about a life I’ve never lived,” she said. “I get to hear their stories and get to interact with them.”

Ongoing mental health and drug crises have resulted in younger long-term patients, something that troubles Morales.

“That’s tough for me as a nurse. I’m supposed to be caring for the elderly population and I’m getting people that are younger and younger,” she said.

That’s why it’s imperative to Morales that health care employers provide managers with resources to ensure they’re equipped to be leaders in the industry and can transition into roles where they help nurses on their team navigate the successes and extreme challenges of the job.

Loretto recently launched a program intended to help nurse managers thrive, Chief People Officer Nancy Williams said.

“It’s important for us to be able to provide support and services that make sense for where they are,” she said.

Williams said that means offering resources and programs for new and experienced leaders to help address mental health concerns, team building, refine leadership skills they may be struggling with and even help them advance their careers.

“They may very well have great clinical skills but need some growth and development around people management, so we have programs that help to grow and develop leaders across our organization,” Williams said.

The training is crucial to ensuring nurse managers are up to the task of managing their own careers and personal life while also leading teams that are working a difficult job, Morales said.

Loretto created the program after examining research on how employee engagement impacts performance, and employees’ desire for more work-life balance.