Nurses are the unsung heroes of the healthcare industry. They work tirelessly to support patients who are often experiencing the most difficult moments of their lives. Although nursing is one of the most demanding and stressful professions, nurses' contributions to the healthcare industry and society often go unnoticed and unappreciated, except when National Nurses Week rolls around, giving us an opportunity to appreciate nurses.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the crucial role of nurses to the forefront. Nurses have been at the frontlines of the pandemic, risking their lives to care for patients and help prevent the spread of the virus, despite difficult working conditions, all of which have led to heightened burnout. In this blog post, we will explore why nurses deserve our appreciation and why they're so respected in society.
Why Should Nurses be Appreciated?
Nurses are patients' primary caregivers in hospitals. They are the first people you see when going to see the doctor, and if admitted, they walk with you every step of the way from admission to discharge. They are invested in all aspects of your comfort, wellness, and recovery.
Nurses are the ultimate lovers of humanity, providing stellar care to every patient, and tend to have incredible characteristics, including compassion, patience, perseverance and stamina, and a sense of humor.
Nurses provide holistic care. Understanding that patients are more than just people with physical health issues, nurses work to meet their patients' intellectual, social, and spiritual needs, too, by supporting them in various ways and connecting them to additional resources.
Nurses are well-educated and highly skilled healthcare professionals. The journey to becoming a licensed nurse is long and rigorous, consisting of a nursing program, a nursing licensure exam, continuous on-the-job learning, and additional accreditations.
Why Is It Important for Nurses to Be Supported?
Nurses provide valuable services in healthcare ranging from rapid crisis response to educating communities on various aspects of health and wellness, including preventative health. Supporting nurses in their essential work is a way to be of service, which helps them overcome challenges and avoid burnout, both of which are needed to avert a nursing shortage.
Nurses are exposed to several stressors daily, including long shifts and difficult patients, all of which affect their mental health and morale. Given nursing work's complex and delicate nature, nurse appreciation is critical. By supporting and appreciating nurses, nurses can function at the highest possible level, have decreased stress levels, and feel better supported as they carry out life-saving work. If nurses do not feel appreciated, they may have poor job performance, contributing to poor patient outcomes, including potentially increased mortality rates.
Nursing also involves emotional labor, as nurses support their patients and become invested in their lives. Over time, this can take a toll on nurses, which is why it's essential nurses are appreciated year-round rather than just on nurse appreciation day or week. In addition to profoundly impacting their direct patients, nurses contribute to public health work and awareness, so supporting nurses also positively impacts the health and wellness of society at large.
Why Do We Admire Nurses? | Why Do People Respect Nurses So Much?
Nurses do everything they can to ensure patients are as comfortable as possible in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare settings. Nurses are involved in nearly all aspects of healthcare delivery, from assessing patients to administering medicines or encouraging reluctant patients to walk up and down halls after surgery.
Nurses are passionate patient advocates because they are in tune with patient conditions and are well-placed to lobby for patients' health or other concerns. Through education, whether formally or informally, nurses help patients know their rights and seek the support they need.
Nurses are also some of the hardest-working professionals in the medical field. In hospital settings, most nurses work ten to twelve-hour shifts, taking care of several patients simultaneously. Furthermore, studies have shown that nurses walk three to five miles in a single shift, depending on whether it's a day or night shift.
Final Thoughts | Why Do We Appreciate Nurses?
Nurses are a critical component of the healthcare system, providing care and support to patients in various healthcare settings. They are involved in every aspect of healthcare delivery, make sure patients are comfortable and well-cared for, and advocate for patients' health concerns. Nurses' jobs are challenging and demanding—but these essential workers are vital to keeping health systems operating. Aside from providing life-changing support to patients individually, nurses play a critical role in promoting health and wellness in society.
For all these reasons and more, at Nursa, we honor nurses every day—not just on National Nurses Week. If you're a nurse, know that we appreciate the hard work, energy, and care you put into your job and patients, and we thank you for your service. You are a healthcare hero!
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