Healthcare professionals have been working extra hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. With limited capacity, longer hours, and near-constant exposure to increased health risks, nurses, doctors, and other providers are facing the ultimate challenge in their careers.
If you want to show support for your team of healthcare workers, if you want to express gratitude to a nurse who helped you through a tough illness, or if you just want to give thanks to the people at your local hospital, you can thank a nurse today with nursing recognition ideas.
Nurse Appreciation Day
Nursing recognition skyrockets during National Nursing Week and Nurse Appreciation Day. All over the world, International Nurses Day (IND) is celebrated on May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. This day is designated to celebrate and acknowledge all the contributions that nurses make to society.
In the United States and Canada, May 12 is Nurse Appreciation Day – but these countries take an entire week to celebrate. From May 6 to May 12, National Nursing Week unfolds. This is the perfect opportunity to show gratitude and appreciation for the nurses in your life.
Nursing Awards and Recognition
If you’re looking to celebrate the accomplishments of a nurse on staff or reward some of your best nurses for making exceptional contributions, consider these nursing awards and recognition:
· Years of service awards.
It’s a simple gesture, but it can be an extraordinarily powerful one. A “years of service” award is designed to commemorate the many years of hard work a nurse has put into their career. At certain intervals (oftentimes 10, 15, 20, and 25+ years), you’ll present a nurse with a plaque, a trophy, or some other tangible, personalized item that puts their years of service on full display. For the nurse, it’s a great visual reminder of how much they’ve poured into this career – and how much they’re appreciated in the workplace. It’s also great to put on display, appealing to new nurses speculating about their own future careers.
· A gift plaque.
You could also purchase a personalized nursing gift in the form of a nurse appreciation gift plaque. These plaques can be created with any size, design, or color fill, with a personalized message that you decide. Speak from the heart and tell your nurses how much you value their efforts.
· Specific effort awards.
You can also give specific awards to nurses for their individual contributions – especially if they’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty to do something good for an individual or for the organization as a whole.
Other Ways to Thank a Nurse
Of course, if you’re not in the market for a personalized award plaque or a years of service award, there are other, simpler ways to “thank a nurse” in your life.
These are some of the best:
· A handwritten note.
You don’t have to spend much money to make someone’s day. Sometimes, a considerate, handwritten note is all it takes to boost someone’s mood – and remind them why they started this career in the first place. Express your thoughts and feelings in the span of a few paragraphs; it might turn into something that this nurse cherishes forever.
· A thoughtful card.
If you’re not confident in your ability to express your thoughts or if you just need a little extra guidance, consider looking for a thoughtful card. Browse a selection of greeting cards to find one with the perfect message for the nurse in your life – and make sure to add a sentence or two to personalize it and show you care.
· Healthy snacks.
Nurses are often so busy they forget to eat, rushing through their shifts and skipping lunch breaks to see more patients and get more done. You can help fuel them for their shift and simultaneously show your gratitude by providing them healthy snacks. An arrangement of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other refreshing snacks can make anyone’s day. And if you send an entire platter of healthy snacks, the entire team can enjoy them throughout the day.
· Caffeine.
Healthy snacks can be energizing, but they take time to consume – and not everyone has the time to stop and eat. A great alternative is caffeine, in the form of coffee, tea, and other refreshments. Consider picking up a fresh cup of coffee for the nurse in your life; it’s fast and inexpensive, but it can still make someone’s day. You can also send a caffeine care package to an entire team.
· Help with errands.
Do you personally know a nurse in your life who could use some help with personal responsibilities? If so, you can volunteer to help them with errands. Help them pick up groceries or walk their dog during an especially long shift; the extra assistance can relieve stress and help them focus on their job.
· Sweet treats.
Healthy snacks are great, but everyone needs a sweet pick-me-up every now and then. Consider giving the nurse in your life an assortment of chocolates, some fancy desserts, or other delightful treats.
· Compression socks.
One of the toughest physical demands of a nursing career is standing and walking around all day. Swollen, sweaty, uncomfortable feet can make this a miserable experience. But with the right compression socks, everything becomes more manageable. Consider investing in a pair of high-quality socks for a nurse – or for the entire team.
· Other small gifts.
There’s no limit to what you can give to the nurses in your life to show appreciation or reward them for their hard work. Other small gifts will certainly be appreciated. Consider getting them something that suits their personality, or something that aligns with their favorite hobby or pastime.
National Nursing Week is right around the corner, with nurses all over the country still experiencing the toughest situation of their careers. Make a small investment in a nurse appreciation gift and you’ll make someone’s day – or maybe their entire year!
