Nurses Week

Please be sure you include ALL your shifts in the plan. For example: If it's to involve food, be kind enough to bring FRESH food for the evening/night shift, as well, not just picked-over stuff leftover from dayshift. In the past, it's been a real insult to have Happy Nurses' Day meals and cakes obviously hours old and picked thru be our only thanks on night shift.

And seeing as you are early in this, how bout polling some staff members as to what they might like????? Make sure it's gender-neutral---- remember the MEN.

In the past what I enjoyed was gift cards from the local grocery store. VERY useful for ANYONE.

We are planning on fresh food for each shift. I also have worked night shift and have felt like the forgotten.

Special recognition during Nurse's Week is great. My personal opinion....more meaningful when managers/directors/DON make their presence on the floor known so that ALL clocked-in staff members can enjoy 15-20 of uninterrupted time at the celebration.

I organized the celebration for CNAs at a state institution for the developmentally disabled.....all non-aide staff worked the wards in order to provide the aides just such a time. Aides were appreciative and all of us "non-aide" staff members got a feel for what it was like for the aides.

One thing I would do, is make sure that all nursing staff is involved...I worked in a facility once that only bought gifts, provided meals, etc for the RNs...nothing at all for the LPNs. I would also include nursing assistants...there are places out there that don't.

We always like food! Things like insulated lunch bags are appreciated, but I've seen that they are often not used because it's so hard to tell which one is yours when everyone has one. :)