From handing a new mother her newborn baby, to helping a loved one pass peacefully, nurses are with us every step of our lives. They are vital to our healthcare industry, the main point of contact for many of us in hospitals and doctor’s offices, and perform the most essential healthcare tasks. Without a doubt, Nurses deserve to be celebrated each and every day, but especially during Nurses Week.
A few reasons why we love our nurses
🌟 Nurses know their patients (that’s us!) extremely well. The time nurses spend at a patient’s bedside allows them to form, if not a bond, at least special knowledge of a patient and their needs. Nurses bring their unique body of knowledge and skill to each interaction with the patient and they also have an awareness of both the patient's and the medical care team’s expectations that allows them to interact and negotiate realistic expectations for each.
🌟 Nurses are essential to success. Nurses are trained to treat the whole patient, not just the immediate injury or illness. They look beyond the symptoms to establish the root of the problem so that they can ensure a patient receives adequate treatment and the resources they need to manage their care outside the hospital. They create a safe space for honest conversations and they are a source of comfort.
🌟 Nurses are hard workers. Most nurses work 12-hour shifts with few breaks and they often take on extra work when needs arise. And, since healthcare is an all-day,everyday operation, nurses often work through important events such as common holidays or family events. While a nurse’s willingness to work hard has been unfortunately taken advantage of by some, we would be lost without the immeasurable dedication nurses show to their jobs, and by default, to us as patients.
🌟 Nurses are trustworthy. Nursing has been rated as the most trusted profession for an impressive 20-year run, according to a Gallup poll, with over 80% of respondents saying that nurses’ honesty and ethical standards were “very high.” Even through a challenging time in our lives, people around the country felt the high standard of care nurses provide us.
How to show your appreciation to nurses
During Nurses Week and beyond, it’s always nice to show the nurses of the world how much we appreciate all they do for us. Here are a few suggestions if you are inclined to do so and looking for tips:
Food and/or drinks
Offering to cater food or coffee for a nurse in your community can go a long way. As we mentioned above their days can be long and it’s always nice to know people are thinking of you.
Donate blood
As you think of small acts of kindness or ways to volunteer, don’t forget the impact of blood donation. It’s always in need because less than 10% of eligible donors give. A single blood donation can give one to three patients a better outcome, a chance at survival. And nurses feel the positive impact of any life they help save or improve.
Write a thank you note
Snail mail, email, a postcard dropped at the hospital, any of these methods would work to let a nurse know how you appreciated his or her care.
Treat someone to a spa day
If you have a special connection with a nurse, giving them the gift of relaxation is a great option. After all the standing, lifting, helping, and stress a nurse does in a day, having some time to care for their own body and spirit can go a long way.
What else would you add to the suggested list? We’d love to hear your thoughts in our Community forum!
To all the nurses, those traveling with Trusted and beyond, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for all you do.
