Nurses' Week Celebration

Our hospital typically does NOTHING for our nurses. So last year I planned a week's worth of unit specific activities for my people. Things included me flipping pancakes for them (which was inexpensive for me and they loved it!), having an ice cream day, a pizza day, bagels etc.....We all know nurses love to eat! Then I ended the week by all of my ancillary staff throwing the nurses a party (potluck) and had a separate room set up where I had massage therapy students give them all 10 minute massages (which cost me nothing because they needed the hours to log). All in all, it only ended up costing me about $200 which was well worth it to have a Happy Nurses Week. Plus it made me feel very good to be one of the only members of management to recognize them and say thanks. It was money well spent

Most places I have worked at have many day activities, but nothing for the night shift. I appreciate your efforts, but please acknowledge ALL of the staff.

Most places I have worked at have many day activities, but nothing for the night shift. I appreciate your efforts, but please acknowledge ALL of the staff.

Last year in my unit we had meals for a week sponsored by the Docters. It was for day shift as well as for the night shift. I am the supervisor for a neuroscience unit, I coordinated it and did not leave anyone out. The management team worked nights for a week to support the night shift. The hospital had a day with all types of food with the brass serving it, also they sent food to the night shift. This year we took a diferent focus, we asked the staff what we need in our unit to help with patient care. We are getting new brain and spine models, a stroke model that shows the different areas in the brain. The physicians are paying for it.

From what I understand at my job, they used to do lots of neat little things. Now, I think we may get a free meal, if anything at all.

Most places I have worked at have many day activities, but nothing for the night shift. I appreciate your efforts, but please acknowledge ALL of the staff.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They always have everything during the day and totally exclude noc shift. :roll :roll :roll

From what I understand at my job, they used to do lots of neat little things. Now, I think we may get a free meal, if anything at all.

Last year we got a notepad and pen.

I posted this on the survey site as well, but wanted to ask my fellow leaders what they have planned or have done in the past to recognize staff for Nurses' Week.

@ my facility they have different treats every day for a week , they also give us little gift bags which usually consist of a mug, pen, flashlight, and a pin for nurses week...it is nice..

I work with 30 people. Ten of us are nurses. During a special nurses week staff meeting it was announced that in our honor the company would be donating $20,000 to the local nursing college to provide ten $2,000 need based scholarships for local nursing students. The student recipients sent thank-you letters and those were shared with us as well. This was the most meaningful gesture I've ever experienced to honor nurses during nurses week.

I work with 30 people. Ten of us are nurses. During a special nurses week staff meeting it was announced that in our honor the company would be donating $20,000 to the local nursing college to provide ten $2,000 need based scholarships for local nursing students. The student recipients sent thank-you letters and those were shared with us as well. This was the most meaningful gesture I've ever experienced to honor nurses during nurses week.

wow!! that is great!!! what a nice gesture. :balloons: :)

I work with 30 people. Ten of us are nurses. During a special nurses week staff meeting it was announced that in our honor the company would be donating $20,000 to the local nursing college to provide ten $2,000 need based scholarships for local nursing students. The student recipients sent thank-you letters and those were shared with us as well. This was the most meaningful gesture I've ever experienced to honor nurses during nurses week.

That really IS great ! :wink2:

The best thing any facility ever did for me was get me a really good steak dinner, give me a really nice tote bag, and send me a $100.00 for being named a nurse of distinction for good care of patients. Usually they feed us and give us a pen or cup.

Last year, our hospita finally made the transition for recruitment to retention of employees. I have worked at the facility for 9 years. The facility still has a long way to go. For nurse's week, they had a catered dinner for 4 nights. Nurses from all departments were invited to attend. Each night nurses were placed in drawings for various prizes (dvd player, gift certificate for 2 day pass to a spa with paid leave, and grand proze of a 4 day Caribbean cruise with extra vacation time.) I know the nursing staff really enjoyed it. The had motivational speakers. This year, we are not sure of the plans, but are anticipating another dinner. Just the thought of being appreciated helps. I work in the OR, and we gave out door prizes and also had a cake. We also do the same for Perioperative Nurse's week. We have pizza parties every 4 months and we do include the evening shift. We sincerely try to convey how much we appreciate the nurses for their hard work and dedication .