Certified Nurses Day excluding people

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Today I was in charge of handing out ribbons and trinkets to all of our certified nurses on the unit for Certified Nurses Day.

It felt awkward to "skip over" RN's who were not specialty certified so I tried to do it as discreetly as possible.

An I overreacting thinking that how our hospital handles Certified Nurses Day is exclusionary and in poor taste? Even if well meaning?

What do other hospitals do for Certified Nurses Day?

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Well, considering it's called "certified nurses day", I'm thinking the nurses who don't possess any extra certifications are well aware of that fact and therefore aren't offended they don't get a ribbon.

I think you're over thinking this. Celebrating certifications is fine.

Personally, I'm of those who, if the reward isn't cash-money or a gift certificate it means little to me. A litte pin or a little trophy or whatever I can live without.

At worst, this is unnecessary. It's certainly not offensive.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Our hospital had a "tea" that the nurses could go to.

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

I'm double ANCC Certified. I studied hard

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

for those exams and really appreciate the recognition. I work with MAs, LPNs, & non-certified nurses, and they applauded us, cheered and shared the cake and punch. And yes we also got $25 Starbucks cards. What's the big deal? Are people at your work that insecure? Jeez!

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

I don't think you should have been discreet. I think it should have been a big noisy deal to single out and celebrate the achievement of those whom have gone that extra mile and earned the specialty certification. It might inspire the others to do likewise.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I received a letter in the mail a couple of weeks ago celebrating my being certified. I wasn't in work today so I don't know if there were any special events.

I also don't think it's exclusionary: it's not as though being certified is a population that nurses couldn't join...because they could. Any nurse could become certified if they wanted to. It just takes time, some work and surviving a really painful test.

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Specializes in oncology, MS/tele/stepdown.

At the hospital where I extern, my scheduler brought to my attention the lunch they were having for certified nurses. She herself has no extra certifications, but she has been a nurse for about 25 years. She was really put out that they had this extra event for them. I'm not really sure what she was so sensitive about. Our catered lunches are always terrible anyways.

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Wahhh!!! I didn't pay for a test and study for it and take it and now I'm not getting the benefit of doing so like those who did! Wahhhh!!!!

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People could extend this "getting offended" thing to anything.

Should the CNAs be offended during nurses week? (or day or whatever. I really have no idea what it is)

Should management tiptoe around the aides and be discrete?

Should everyone else be offended on secretary's day?

Personally, I feel these "days" are sort of meaningless. Just a way for management to seem caring and supportive while they turn around and slash your benefits and staffing. But it's ridiculous for the non certified nurses to be offended.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

My hospital is just the opposite, Nurse's Week is for all hospital employees, not just nurses. Lump us in with housekeeping and laundry! Who needs to celebrate education!!

I'm glad nurses no longer are responsible for doing housekeeping and laundry, but I'm with the posters above: recognize achievements!

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Specializes in Emergency Department/Trauma.

If people want to be included it is easy, get a certified. A previous hospital I was staff at did special days for just about every specialty from cna and all the different ancillary services. But for some reason they turned nurses week into healthcare week. The only group of people they didn't like to single out to recognize were nurses. I never liked that approach.

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