Nurses Week: what makes you feel appreciated?

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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!!

Specializes in Tele, ICU, ER.

I have to agree with those who pretty much shrug their shoulders at nurses' week. It's a nice thought but come on. By the time you're done with weeks (resp therapy week, CNA week, x-ray week, tech week, and so on) it gets a little silly. I truly don't need another coffee mug, a cafeteria gift cert (I work nights and it doesn't open til 8am, AFTER I leave,bah),or other doodad.

What to appreciate nurses? Treat them decently ALL the time. Say thanks. Give up the miserable u-suck staff meetings, spread the blame around a little, recognize when we're dancing like a maniac to keep the patients safe and cared for, acknowledge short staffing and those who manage to keep the boat afloat while bailing with a seive and then WORK ON STAFFING.

If none of that is possible - just throw press ganey out the window!!

No?

Ok ok - if you must do something nice just once a year, feed me or give me a gift cert to bath and body works or something NOT work related. Nurses spend all of their time catering to everyone else, from lab to MDs to family members (not to mention patients)... give them something JUST for them. A day off with pay and no using PTO? Sorry still dreaming.

Hey everyone! I love all my fellow nurses ALL year round - no one else knows just how hard we work!

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A bonus paid day off to use whenever.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Food.

Always like food...

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Specializes in ER.

My favorite nurses day gift was when administration came in during the night shift at 2am with a buffet lunch they made up themselves. The RN admin staff covered the call bells on each unit so we could take turns going to get a plate. Honestly, I don't think anyone but the shift super ever actually had to do patient care, but the thought was there.

Another year the CEO set up a BBQ on the front lawn and made hamburgers and hot dogs, and we had our choice of homemade desserts. It wasn't the food though, it was the fact they showed up at 2am, and they had put in so much effort to make us happy.

Gotta add that those nights were purposely overstaffed if it was at all possible so we could schmooze. It felt positively luxurious.

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I'd love a paid day off on my birthday!

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Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.

I would like proper staffing; Don't take away our triage nurse because "productivity" is down a little. Quit giving us the administration mantras of "just take a deep breath" when the stuff is hitting the fan. Honestly, don't you realize that buttons saying "ask me if I washed my hands" are so belittling. A once-yearly gesture is nearly meaningless. Staffing, that would do it for me.

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Specializes in pedi, pedi psych,dd, school ,home health.

I agree with Tweety..I am paid well and love my job... finally! I have good benefits and a fairly secure future... there are many others who cant say that ! I think a meal or a gc to dds or bath & body would be nice.

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I rarely saw the nurses get to go down to the cafeteria and get lunch. It might be a nice idea to call in all of the per diem staff nurses to cover lunch during the week so the staff nurses can enjoy a catered lunch. Then give the per diem nurses gift certificates to the movies or dinner. I'm not a nurse yet, but it seems like something i would enjoy. (a nice hour long, hopefully uninterrupted lunch from a nice restaurant)

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Specializes in Rehab, LTC, Peds, Hospice.

Really good food is always appreciated. And make sure there is plenty set aside for each shift, clearly marked so that no one picks at it. I do like things like bandage scissors and flashlights that I can actually use. Good Luck!

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Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.
It might be a nice idea to call in all of the per diem staff nurses to cover lunch during the week so the staff nurses can enjoy a catered lunch. Then give the per diem nurses gift certificates to the movies or dinner.

I guess you are assuming that all the per diem nurses are sitting at home with nothing else to do with their time, OR that they are not already working.

I work per diem because I don't want to be at the beck and call of administration, but I might consider the idea IF the dinner certificate was to a really great restaurant!

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Let's see...last year we got a bag (which was nice, honestly) and a lovely orange towel with our hospital logo on it.

This year I would like whatever money was spent on that to be spent on gift cards to a video store, or Bath& Body works or something. Even if it's only $5, its $5 I don't have to spend of my own $$.

What makes me feel most appreciated is the bonus we get around the holidays....about 5% of our annual salary.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.

You get a holiday bonus??? Where are you?? I'm coming there!!!!

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