So, obviously my experience is more from working in psych than as a nurse bc I'm new to nursing....But, morale is morale, and there is a lack or staffing, support, experience, etc in psych as much as in nursing. (Insert sinking ?? meme here ??). So, here are my thoughts:
While I agree that the root causes of low morale may be outside of your group's control, there are always things that can help make the day better that ARE in your control. Obviously #1 would be that good attitude that was mentioned, but that can be easier said than done when you're gasping for breath like Rose from the titanic movie (I hated that movie btw, but still hanging with that sinking ship analogy).
I feel like in every high stress job the team relationships were the reason I either loved or hated my job. If I could rely on my coworkers, and they could rely on me, we usually had a pretty good day.
Sure we were drowning, but we were doing it together!
The other key? Food and caffeine, LOL.
In all seriousness though, silly things like having planned themed pot lucks on weekends where people bring in, say, Mexican food dishes, and have them in the break room to share among the crew, can help a little. Or making a point of bringing in coffees for the whole team, and everyone takes turns doing this (coffee is LIFE imo). Hanging funny comic strip in the lunch area, or on the doors inside the bathroom. Music playing real low in the med room. One time at one of my old jobs we painted a mural on the wall in the entryway. At my very first job in mental health working in a staff intensive group home we used to have dance party breaks during "quiet time" (quiet time for the clients, they were in their rooms, we danced in the kitchen ????). Small things is my point. Small things can make a huge difference.
IDK how your team does with helping each other, but if one person starts it with a simple "hey, what can I help you with right now?" It tends to be catchy. We are all always busy, and with an inexperienced team, y'all probably feel even more so than normal, but once that dynamic of helping each other when u have a second starts to take hold, it can really make the day a little bit better. Now everyone may be drowning, but there's a bit of driftwood in the water to hold on to. I'm not saying you all don't already do that, just saying what has worked for me.
And lastly, IDK if you have either a) gossip issues, Or b) the shift wars thing happening? Those both can be huge morale murderers. Trying to change those can be murder too...but sometimes successful.
Anyhow, I wish you all the luck in your group and I hope your work morale gets a tiny bit higher as you rock your new mission ?.
