4 Ways to Build a Culture of Belonging at Your Facility

Want to create a work environment where people actually want to work, stay, and improve?

The key is to create a culture where they feel they belong, says Princess Sarah Culberson, an American-born Mende princess from the Bumpe–Gao Chiefdom in Sierra Leone. Culberson experienced the power of bringing diverse groups together when she co-founded Sierra Leone Rising.

She says you’ll realize that you have a strong culture of belonging when you:

• See diverse individuals collaborating and contributing equally
• Feel security and acceptance with every voice heard and valued
• Hear open and honest communication, where feedback is welcomed, and differences are celebrated.

Where to Start

“Bring your assumptions to the table,” Culberson said, because they serve as a starting point for dialogue and understanding.

“Nurses can recognize and challenge their own biases to open up to new perspectives.” 

Once assumptions are acknowledged, nurses can then share their experiences, pose open-ended questions, and genuinely express interest in others' backgrounds and ideas.

How to Act

Every nurse has the power to help foster a culture of belonging, Culberson says. She suggests these four ways to fuel a deeper understanding and build stronger relationships with colleagues.

1. Assess the current culture

Understand the existing workplace dynamics. Conduct surveys or hold focus groups to gather insights about the current environment. For example, ask if staff feel empowered and supported to grow personally and professionally.

2. Set clear goals and values

Define what a culture of belonging means for your organization. Establish clear, achievable goals and values that reflect inclusivity and respect. Fostering trust is an important early goal to create a culture of belonging.

3. Develop and implement inclusive policies and practices

Create policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. These should include clearly defined strategies for removing barriers to inclusion, starting with bringing more voices and perspectives to the table. Ensure these policies are not merely on paper but are actively implemented and monitored.

4. Foster open communication and feedback

Encourage open dialogue, provide safe spaces for sharing experiences, and regularly seek feedback from staff. This step is crucial. A strong culture of belonging requires continuous improvement to make sure it's embedded in the organization.

Princess Sarah Culberson will be empowering periop nurses to build their own culture of belonging during her general session at AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo 2024 in Nashville, March 9-12.