May is almost here, and with it comes one of our favorite celebratory weeks, National Nurses Week!
We want nurses everywhere to feel seen and appreciated for their work. Whether you are currently working as a nurse or want to recognize another dedicated nurse in the field, this article is for you. You'll learn a bit about the history of Nurses Week and find some meaningful ways to celebrate National Nurses Week at home and work.
We've got a lineup of events Nursa has planned for PRN nurses.
Celebrate National Nurses Week with Nursa!
At Nursa, we're so very proud of all the nurses who pick up PRN shifts to go where they are needed. We're excited to announce that we'll be celebrating PRN nurses, particularly with planned awards, shoutouts, giveaways, and a webinar. Here's a sneak peek at what you can expect, but keep your eyes peeled for more information as Nurses Week closes in.
Stay Tuned for Daily Giveaways
Nursa will announce daily giveaways on our social media accounts each morning, and winners will be decided at the end of each day. Tag a nurse you know on any of Nursa's Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok accounts who you think deserves to win the daily prize.
Clinician Awards
Nursa employees are nominating PRN nurses on the Nursa platform who have gone above and beyond for their outstanding care, patience, networking, and work ethic. Nominations are being gathered, and award winners will be internally selected on April 19.
Nursa will notify the winners directly to request a quote and permission to share their photos. Public announcements for award winners will occur throughout Nurses Week on Nursa's social media accounts and community platform. Expect award categories such as "The Trailblazer Award," "The Community Sensei," and more!
An Exclusive Webinar Panel on PRN Nursing
Sign up to join Nursa's exclusive webinar panel on April 30. This webinar will be moderated and feature two nurses exploring and discussing what nurses want hospital administrators to know about PRN nursing.
What is National Nurses Week?
National Nurses Week, also known as Nurse Appreciation Week and Nurse Appreciation Day, begins on May 6 and continues through May 12. This week of observance acknowledges and appreciates nurses and their critical role in healthcare.
The History of Nurses Week
The birth of National Nurses Week begins with Florence Nightingale and her innovative contributions to nursing that changed the landscape of healthcare forever. Florence Nightingale was a British nurse who served as a manager and trainer of nurses during the Crimean War in 1854.
Nightingale used her informal nursing expertise to make hospitals and medical camps cleaner and safer. As a result, she lowered the death rate of patients under her and her team's care and advocated for more women to join the nursing force. Years later, after returning from the war, Florence Nightingale continued to promote cleaner hospital conditions and advocate for excellence in patient care.
So why do we celebrate Nurse Appreciation Week May 6-12? In 1974, the International Council of Nurses founded "International Nurses Day" to be observed on May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday. Subsequently, the celebration was promoted by the American Nurses Association and officially extended to a week-long observance that occurs annually.
Why It's Important to Celebrate Nurses Week
Take a closer look at the nurses in your life and your community. Nurses provide care in many settings and to people of all ages and conditions. Nurses provide care for you and your loved ones in schools, clinics, hospitals, community health centers, and long-term care facilities.
For many nurses, the work is, unfortunately, a thankless job, one that they do not because the work is appreciated but because it is their calling. National Nurses Week is your opportunity to let them know they are seen and appreciated.
Other Ways to Celebrate National Nurses Week
How can you show appreciation for a nurse or the nurses serving your community today? All it takes is a meaningful gesture or two. This gesture can be a gift, a card, or simply telling a hard-working nurse how much you value them. Check out a few ways to celebrate the dedicated and life-saving nurses in our world:
Celebrate the Nurses You Know
Consider the nurse or nurses in your life who have made a difference; what nurse wouldn't be delighted by a small gift and a note of personal thanks? You don't have to break the bank to express your appreciation thoughtfully. Here are a few small gift ideas:
- Pens
- Small notepads
- Chewing gum
- Chapstick
- Hand lotion
- Hand sanitizer
- Granola bars
- Microwave popcorn
- Coffee
- Tea
- Shoe inserts
Celebrate at Work
If you work in healthcare and want to honor not just one nurse but a team of nurses, celebrating Nurse Appreciation Week at work can be a great way to do that. Below are some simple but creative ways to raise awareness and celebrate the contributions of nurses at work:
- Host a breakfast or lunch in the break room by bringing in catered foods to honor a team of nurses.
- Decorate the nurses' station with a "thank you" message and an appreciation theme.
- Gift a nurse or two with a special nurse-themed gift certificate—think nursing shoes, gel inserts, scrubs, or a pre-paid subscription to a mental wellness app.
- Send a tailored email to a nurse or a team of nurses telling them how much they are appreciated.
- Say "thanks" to a nurse in your life for all their dedication and commitment to their work.
Celebrate You
If you are a nurse, you deserve recognition on National Nurses Week, too. Permit yourself to schedule a little self-care and pampering! The best way to take credit for all your amazing work as a nurse is to give yourself a chance to relax or invest some of your time in a project or activity that's not nursing-related. That's right! Nurses who take the time to prioritize self-care and participate in hobbies outside of work may be less prone to burnout. Here are a few ways you can celebrate Nurse Appreciation Week on your own:
- Schedule a pedicure and pamper your feet.
- Take a bubble bath after a long nursing shift.
- Go on a hike or a walk around your neighborhood, alone or with a friend or family member, whichever feels right.
- Read a book (one that's not a work or school assignment!)
- Journal about different situations where you have made a positive impact.
- Write down a few mantras or affirmations that inspire you.
- Thank your nursing mentors and coworkers.
Celebrate All Nurses on National Nurses Week
Whether you are currently working as a nurse or admire the work of nurses in general, National Nurses Week is the perfect time to celebrate how nurses around the world keep people safe and healthy. While there are dozens of ways to honor the labor of devoted nurses, remember that sometimes a simple "thanks" is enough to make a nurse feel appreciated for their work. Here at Nursa, we extend a heartfelt thanks to every registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, and certified nursing assistant who picks up a shift to be at the bedside of patients in need.
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