Celebrating Nurses

For anyone unfamiliar with the annual observance of National Nurses Day (May 6), included as part of National Nurses Week (May 6 – May 12), it is a time to recognize nurses and their service to our nation. Hospitals, practices, and health systems across the country commemorate the observance by honoring nurses through a variety of festivities. Lots of patients mark the annual event, too, bestowing well wishes and small tokens of appreciation on the nurses who provide them and their families with excellent care.

Whether you are finalizing plans for this year or thinking ahead for next year, the ideas below will help you celebrate your nurses at your organization!

• Commemorate a yearly celebration. Plan a luncheon, team breakfast, or organize a potluck dinner. Include everyone in the festivities; invite physicians, allied health professionals, and other employees to honor nurses. Then, print and frame Certificates of Appreciation for each of your organization’s nurses.

• Offer a token of appreciation. Depending on your budget, this could be something modest but meaningful; or give the gift of time—a paid shift or half-day off—might be more difficult to coordinate but would be very well deserved and appreciated.

• Say ‘thank you,’ and invite patients and other providers to do the same. It may seem like a small gesture, but a genuine “thank you” has a significant impact. Bonus: gratitude boosts morale, promoting a healthy culture at your organization, too. Promote the opportunity for others to say thank you by providing a creative display of cards, suggestions, quotes, or sample messages.

• Don’t limit your celebration to a single day or week. Most importantly, make sure that your nurses are celebrated and honored throughout the year. Cultivate a transparent environment and use independent contractors to fill staffing gaps that result from open positions and vacations. Make sure your nurses know that their well-being is one of your top priorities. 

No matter how you choose to celebrate National Nurses Day or National Nurses Week, your nurses will appreciate your thoughtfulness and your recognition of their valuable role in healthcare.

To learn how Precision Healthcare can help you meet your staffing needs, email info@precision-hc.com.