Meals That Matter: Nourishing Healthy Work Environments Through Commensality

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how commensality impacts nurses' perceptions of a healthy work environment (HWE) and loneliness. BACKGROUND: Nurse burnout, turnover, and loneliness are exacerbated by unhealthy work environments, contributing to workforce instability and reduced care quality. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses' HWE framework provides evidence-based standards to improve the work environment. METHODS: A pre-postinterventional study was conducted in 2 inpatient units. Nurses participated in commensality sessions designed to support collaboration and meaningful recognition. Data collection included the HWE Assessment Tool, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and selected organizational metrics for recognition. RESULTS: Both units demonstrated improved HWE scores postintervention (SU: 3.87 to 4.18; CNU: 3.63 to 4.31 on a 6-point Likert scale). Leader recognition actions increased, though loneliness scores remained mostly unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Commensality sessions may enhance collaboration and recognition and are associated with improving perceptions of a healthy work environment among nurses, though additional strategies may be required to address loneliness.