Need ideas for honoring RN practicing 50 years

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2005

Call the Pope. She's obviously a saint.

:)

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Jan 17, 2005

finally leaving at end of year for a new career!

In addition to a nice fat cash bonus--cash is never tacky--just think how many lives she saved during the course of her career!! I'd definitely lobby TPTB for a picture-plaque in the lobby of the hospital with a nice quote like this one below it and a brief bio and note of thanks because her contribution surely rivals that of the biggest cash donors. She gave of herself. She gave her time. She's an inspiration to all of us, but especially nurses.

"Dedication is not what others expect of you, it is what you can give to others."

Then I'd give her a special gift to help her get started in her "new career." (I would love to know what her new career is, too.)

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Jan 17, 2005

Or start a nursing scholarship fund and name it after her.

Grace Oz · Jan 17, 2005

Not only call the Pope, ( I lOVE that! :rotfl: ), have a medal struck for her!

Or.....

Permanent Premium membership to allnurses! :idea: :roll

Would it be possible to re-name one of the wards, units, after her?

Scholarship idea is good.

Or, on a more personal note.... how about a REALLY lovely piece of GOOD jewellery? ie; Gold neckchain or some other quality piece she might like to wear.

After 50 years in the profession, it preferably, really should be something permanent, dignified, and of high quality. Good luck with the decision making, I'm sure you'll hit on something special.

SusanJean · Jan 17, 2005

Or start a nursing scholarship fund and name it after her.

I like this idea!!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jan 17, 2005

Thank you for your ideas...keep them coming.

Just a note: forgot to add that we work for a non-profit home care agency, so hospital ideas won't work.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 17, 2005

I would say a scholarship to a nursing school locally is a great idea.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2005

How about a scrapbook with pictures from long ago to now. Pictures of the facility, coworkers, and honoree at different levels of her career. Be sure to get people to sign some pages in the scrapbook, & encourage them to bring photos. Management might have some early photos of the facility---the city library might have old photos of the town and some people in "old fashioned" costumes. Throw a 50's party. It is possible to get newspapers from various years. It might be fun to give her a newspaper dated the month/year she began nursing. Then plant a tree in her honor on the premises and give it a little marker with her name on it.

Gail-Anne · Jan 17, 2005

Thank you for your ideas...keep them coming.
Just a note: forgot to add that we work for a non-profit home care agency, so hospital ideas won't work.

I think the idea of a scholarship in her name is a great idea. How about a medal being made with a nursing symbol and her grad date and leaving work date? Our class had something similar made for a 30 yr reunion and everyone was pleased (it was a surprise). Having music at her party from her grad year would be good. Any chance you can get a uniform/cap/cloak that would have been used then (if she trained at a hospital near there) to have modelled?

Or a "remember when" re: nurses duties, standing when a Dr walked in the room, sharpening needles for re-use etc. leading up to what she has done lately.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jan 17, 2005

The picture idea is awesome!!!! Get a few and really blow them up and decorate with them! That would be so cool! Also if you can find some patients of hers and have them write a note of appreciation to her and keep that on a finely decorated table will be so deeply moving I am almost in tears thinking of it!

A donation box for a charity of her choice would also be sweet or even a retirement fund for her for that box!

Find her favorite colors..at least three..decorate accordingly!

Have people prepare speeches and do them over cake and beverages! IT can be open mic or prepaired...I don't know..I like impromtu myself if you can get that started!

See if you can find her original r uniform and have it framed! WOW..that would be so cool!!!!!! Or you can go to a trophy place and have her first cap mounted too :) with a special award just for her!

Home movies...oh this would be great to show...a little tongue and cheek commentary adds fun to the experience!

A little more complex but very meaningful...find out what school she went to and ask the current class to give something to her...it may be a letter, it maybe a cash donation...but whatever it is..it will prove that the next generation of nurses respect her dedication! Can't ask for more there, we all hope the next generations appreciate us...it is the cycle of things and very important to any time of closure!!!!!!!

Limo ride to the party for her...very classy, and maybe even a hour after for wherever she wishes to go! Also a spa package never hurt as a gift....if you can get some great donations! (heck, even ask a local spa if they would be willing to discount for this event...you would be suprised at how much a 50 year nurse is appreciated!).

Announce it in the local paper :), or pay for a full page dedication to her!

Give a gift of a blank book beautifully bound...and in the card for the gift encourage her to write a book with all her wonderful advice and experience!

Leave out on a table some lovely notepaper and have everyone write what she means to them and someone scrapbook it! OR you can take it one step further like my friend did and have people make something special on material squares (in advanced..she put it in the invitations), and have someone make her a quilt!!!!!

I have still a ton of ideas...let me know if you want some more!!!!!

OH yes..and if you wish..tell her a little nurse from Oregon says....

"I look upon my future, my past, my now..and all my heart can see is the dedication of those before me, the people I work with now, and the people whom will take my place as my life's path goes towards new adventures...However, the most glow comes from the past that supports me as I continue my cycle of nursing...and for this and all of those before me...I thank you for your dedication, your sacrifices, your strive to make things better for everyone, your heart, your spirit, your compassion and the light that radiates from the lamp that will never dull...only grow stronger as a beacon for all. God bless, and may happy paths meet your feet as you journey on this next adventure! THANK YOU!"