Top-down wellness often lands with a thud—nurses want a say in what works, not a one-size-fits-all fix handed down from above. As one nurse we spoke to said, “Ask us what we need, not what looks good.” Aflac’s 2024 study shows 38% of employees grappling with high stress, and in healthcare, where shifts stretch long and resources run lean, generic solutions can miss the mark. Hospitals juggle patient care and tight budgets daily, so well-being efforts sometimes lean on what’s quick. But staff thrive when they’re part of the process—and HR leaders can make that shift happen.

The evidence is clear: co-design outperforms guesswork. When staff shape solutions, engagement climbs—a 2024 National Nurses United survey found 68% of nurses felt more valued when involved in workplace improvements. It’s not about scrapping what’s in place; it’s about refining it together. Nurses know their pain points—unpredictable breaks, emotional strain, rigid schedules—and they’ve got ideas to match. HR can tap that insight with steps that don’t demand a full overhaul, just a willingness to collaborate. Here’s how:

• Brainstorm Sessions: Gather a small group for a 30-minute chat—“What’s one thing that’d help you recharge?” Keep it casual; real answers flow when pressure’s off.

• Small Trials: Test one idea—like a quiet corner or a shift tweak—for a week. Low-stakes pilots let staff weigh in early, spotting what clicks before it scales.

• Feedback Loops: Circle back—“Did it work? What’s next?” A quick survey or huddle keeps the conversation alive and the solution sharp.

These moves fit within healthcare’s fast pace—no grand redesigns, just practical teamwork. Hospitals are pressed to prioritize care over process, so staff input often waits in the wings. Yet co-creating calm flips that script—engagement rises when people help build what they use. A state-wide hospital system saw it firsthand: staff co-designed the Bree Pod’s rollout, suggesting tweaks like more meditation options that drove its success—over 1,100 sessions in 60 days. On a 5-star scale, it earned 4.15 stars from users—high praise for a tool shaped by their needs. It’s a snapshot of what collaboration can do.

HR leaders, you’re balancing a complex system, and your staff’s well-being is a linchpin. Inviting them to co-design doesn’t just ease stress—it builds ownership. There’s space to blend their insights with your strategy for stronger outcomes. Download our state-wide hospital system case study at breehealth.com/breepod for a real-world look at this approach in action.