National Nurses Day is on May 6th, and it kicks off a week-long celebration of nurses and all they do for the medical community. If you’re looking for some great ways to show your appreciation to your nursing staff, here are a few ideas to consider:
Throw A Party
Actually, given most nursing schedules, you’ll probably need to throw a few, and if you opt for this route, make it a good one. The unfortunate truth is that most office parties aren’t all that great because managers try to micromanage the party. Don’t do that.
First, throw it somewhere other than the hospital breakroom. Your nurses spend enough time at the office and it’s not a party. There are just too many distractions. Go somewhere else, and throw enough parties that your entire staff can join in the fun after hours when they’re off the clock. Also, don’t make it mandatory. It doesn’t feel like a party if you’re forced to attend. Just let it happen. If you throw a good party, people will come.
A Relaxing Treat
Hire a masseuse for the day and let him or her set up shop in a quiet corner, off the beaten path to allow your nurses to enjoy some genuine stress relief during what downtime they’ve got. Even better, spring for a spa day at an actual spa for the nurses on your staff. It’s a stressful job. They’ll appreciate it, and giving them a chance to unwind will help improve productivity and performance, making it a win for everyone.
The Spirit Of Giving
Have your nursing staff get together and pick a charity that’s important to all of them. Then throw a no-holds-barred fundraiser and donate the proceeds to the charity they pick. Nurses give so much of themselves that this kind of recognition is sure to be appreciated.
Coffee!
It’s no secret, nurses work long hours and usually at a brutal pace. Coffee keeps the wheels turning.
Rightly or wrongly, hospital coffee has a reputation for being spectacularly bad. Change that. Spring for a quality coffee maker and some real coffee. Let your nurses enjoy it. Alternatively, if there’s a Starbucks or other coffee shop near your location, buy generously sized gift cards and let your nursing staff enjoy some true coffee decadence.
A Thoughtful, Meaningful Gift
If none of the ideas above work for you, then buy each member of your nursing staff a meaningful gift. The trick here though, is to make it both meaningful and personal. You’ve got to know your staff and their likes and preferences. A generic gift with no thought put into it is destined to fall flat and feel tone-deaf, so avoid that at all costs.
Spend some time browsing nurses gift ideas on our site and you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for. The point, after all, is to make this year’s Nurse Appreciation Day an experience your staff won’t soon forget.