How messed up is this?

[jelly221,RN]

Last week, I noticed a poster advertising special activities all week long for "National Hospital Week" in 2 weeks. These activities are things like an ice cream social, a talent show, etc. All events that sound like fun and I would like to participate.

However, I heard no mention of Nurse's Week. One of the CNAs on my floor even argued with me that it couldn't be that week because she hadn't heard anything about it.

It's pretty insulting, honestly. Administration thinks so little of nurses that they don't even acknowledge a week nationally dedicated to thanking us for choosing our profession.

I've considered writing an (anonymous) note to my CEO or CNO or SOMEONE to let them know how saddened I was by the situation. Feedback?

[carrie_c]

Let me tell you what my hospital did for us for nurses week. They had hotdogs, sodas, ice cream, and chips for us, but we had to PAY for them!! What type of appreciation is that?!

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

We do Nursing Home week. Been many a year since they've done nursing week or CNA week.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

says something about culture in OP's facility if the note has to be anonymous.

Could be a money thing. I believe hospital week was tagged on to nurse's week so that others would not feel left out. Anyway, we had a lot of snacks, a free BBQ and some gifts so I feel appreciated. Sorry it is not a universal feeling

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Well at our work we used to "celebrate" nurses week just with a general employee appreciation week, which was fine.. Now that has been moved to June.. Did they mention anything to us nurses.. NO... It is so ridiculous. You better bet we are the only group forgotten about..

[Zookeeper3]

Nurses are no longer appreciated. It is a fact. We are easily replaced, for cheaper wages, farmed out doing housekeeping, pharmacy, central supply, dietary, security and menial labor jobs, all bundled into "other duties" in our job description. It is a very sad sign of the recent times.... and infection rates, pressure sores, frequent readmits will soar, as administration sits in wonder as why it is happening... and their bottom line, the almighty dollar is declining. Add in PRESS GAINEY scores where serving coffee and blankets to family is a higher priority than stabilizing a sick patient. Take a nurse out of bedside and add to their duties... and you have a hospital run amok.

Nurses week, and nursing as a true appreciation for our art of practicing is going out the door. Your hospital is a true sign of the times of what is wrong with caring for our patients.

[Eric Cartman]

[leslie :-D]

sadly, i believe the non-acknowledgement, is r/t other depts vocalizing their grievances about not being recognized.

it happened where i worked.

housekeeping, cna's, maintenace...all expressed, "what about us?"

to keep all placated, i believe many employers are purposely recognizing all employees.

at the end of the day, i know what i've done.

and i'm ok with that. :)

leslie

[Patti_RN]

Most professionals don't need recognition for what they do. This is a business deal: you're the employee, you get a paycheck, vacation or sick time or personal days, health insurance, free parking or paid parking, a uniform allowance, or whatever you negotiated when you were hired, or renegotiated later. The hospital or office's side of the deal is this: they expect you to function in a certain capacity, fulfilling certain duties and doing so professionally.

Employee appreciation days seem not only unprofessional, but condescending and patronizing. It's like getting a sticker glued to your forehead, a pat on the head, while being told 'good job!'. Nurses organizations and individual nurses have been fighting for higher status for years; expecting 'appreciation week' undermines those efforts that nurses be seen and treated as professionals. Do we have Surgeon Appreciation Day? National Lawyer's Week? National Accountant's Day? Most members of those professions would be insulted by the suggestion (or at least amused).

Throughout the years, I've seen these appreciation days and weeks from both sides. Those being honored never seem to be satisfied; those doing the honoring try to make the staff happy within their budgetary constraints. It may be only 5% or 20% of the staff who complain, but they do so loudly. "My friend works at.... and THEY get free manicures!"... "We used to get a free lunch, but now we only get a card!" This does not fall on deaf ears of those who provided the perks for the day or week.

It also causes resentment with other staff members. And, exactly who is a 'nurse'? Does that include the NP? the CNA? or just the RNs? And, what about all the volunteers who sacrifice their time, money for parking and meals, and show up religiously without complaint? Are they appreciated?

There are three issues: It's not professional. No matter what management does, it's not good enough. And, the rest of the staff often feels ignored.

[Morainey, BSN, RN]

I noticed that myself. Before I was a nurse, I noticed some of the staff had those little zippy-line badge holder things, they said Nurses Dare To Care, Nurses Week 200- something. But our facility now does Staff Appreciation Week, which I think is fair, personally. The only gripe I have is that night shift isn't there for the contests, games, activities, lotteries, etc.

[Sparrowhawk]

Meh. Just give me a free cookie *Shrug*

[llg, PhD, RN]

There are three issues: It's not professional. No matter what management does, it's not good enough. And, the rest of the staff often feels ignored.

It's just not worth the hassle anymore. I'll do my job and not invest time, energy, and emotions in that sort of stuff.