Nurses Week: what makes you feel appreciated?

Published

i am on the nurses week committee at our hospital and i am looking for ideas that would express our appreciation to our nurses. what would you like to see at your nurses week celebrations? what kind of activities, programs, celebrations, or gifts would help you feel valued? nurses are caring professionals who are passionate about quality patient care, but we are also undervalued in society, and often unrecognized for the work we do, even in our own institutions. i want to make sure our nurses get the message loud and clear: we appreciate who you are, and value you for the amazing care you give, every night and day!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

To be honest, the best thing my facility could do to show how much they appreciate us is by staffing adequately all the time, instead of leaving us with skeleton crews all the time and routinely trying to call in extra help. Should be the other way around: PLAN for the high load, and give people the option of time off when census drops. Show your nurses you value them by not making them so stressed to come to work that they drink Pepto-Bismol instead of coffee on the way in!

But that probably doesn't help you much for a one-week program :)

Ok. They say there's no such thing as a free lunch, but make that untrue: give away certificates to the cafeteria for free meals, to be used whenever the employees want (like when they're working doubles and didn't plan to) or coupons to trade for vending machine money for when the cafeteria is closed (like for us night people, who oftentimes have to rely on the Fridge for Hire).

Along those lines, make it a perk that when the census IS high, and you know staff isn't getting time off to get food (truly, sometimes not even to eat it), you SEND FOOD IN. That's right: if you know your night staff is getting screwed over because of high census and short staffing, make SURE there is a sandwich tray all made up, delivered to unit. They at least know they can grab a bite when they pass the breakroom, if not take time out to prepare something themselves.

We don't need a coffee mug or plaque or fuzzy greeting card. Do something that makes our shift genuinely better to get through.

I would love it if my hospital did that: show they know how hard we work and the time we spend on it by picking up the tab and providing the meal. But you know what? I'd sooner expect to see adequate staffing than THAT happen!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would like to be employed for nurses week. That would make me feel appreciated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

a little more than the free cup of coffee i currently receive

used to receive a free muffin too

whatever

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I also like the free lunch idea.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology, Orthopaedics, Med/Surg.

A simple pat on the back and a thank you from my boss would be nice.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

$5000.00

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

I like a small thoughtful gift that is work related. i.e. nice pen, nice pair of scissors, nurses socks, hey......I'm easy to please! of course a nice "You're appreciated card".

Up Vote Up Vote ×
$5000.00

ditto!

Personally, I find nurses week gestures hollow and patronizing. :rolleyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
ditto!

Personally, I find nurses week gestures hollow and patronizing. :rolleyes:

Ha! Exactly....which is why I don't need another coffee cup, message pad/pen set, or some such doodad. No offense to those who do like them, but although I'm a new nurse, I've had past career(s) and had my fill of the hollow gestures. They really are: that pat on the back or nice card is contrived for the once a year attempt to remind you why you still go to work there, instead of the next hospital down the road.

The OP is trying to do something nice, and I sincerely applaud her (him??) for that effort. It's not lost on us, it really isn't. It's just that much of the time, the $$ spent on doodads don't make a difference in how we view our jobs or our employers, UNLESS it makes a REAL difference (like my food idea!).

Do something that the nurses think makes their shift better, and THAT shows that you appreciate and value them. You care if they enjoy coming to work a bit more.

Barring that, I guess an actually USEFUL "doodad" such as a gift certificate to the movies, pizza shop, family event, or local uniform shop would appease me. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

I don't need a lot. They already pay me, give me 30 days vacation a year, contribute to my 403B plan, tuition reimbursement and scholarships, and provide other benefits.

If they provide the above, I'm fairly low maintenance and don't expect the red carpet at nurses week or need a lot of activities.

I don't stick my nose up and say "humph.....all this work and all I get is a coffee cup!" I'm happy with any recognition. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, a $10 gift certificate to the hospital espresso stand would be welcome, or gift certificate to some other desirable retail outlet.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion