National Nurse’s Month

Florence Nightingale, a pioneer of nursing, was born on May 12, 1820. In celebration of her 200th birthday, the World Health Organization declared 2020 the “Year of the Nurse and Midwife.” It’s now clear that nurses and health care providers of all kinds face extraordinary circumstances this year.

This year, National Nurse’s Week has been extended to the entire month of May! It will have four different themes, celebrated by week!

Week 1: May 1-9, 2020
Self Care
Start the month with mindful self-recognition. Focus on yours and others’ emotional and physical well-being by encouraging and challenging yourself, colleagues and friends to engage in healthier activities. Great resources here: https://www.aana.com/aana-covid-19-reso…/covid-19-well-being

Week 2: May 10-16, 2020
Recognition
Raise visibility of the critical work nurses do and foster greater understanding of the diversity of the nursing profession by honoring exemplary nurses and engaging with your community. Give a shout out to mentors and those who inspire you on social media. Write a note of appreciation. Send a gift card in gratitude. Put a flower with a note on their car windshield. They are our everyday superheros, and deserve to be recognized, especially now!

Week 3: May 17-23, 2020
Professional Development
Focus on how you can excel and lead in your nursing career or inspire and help others in their professional nursing journey.

“Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses. We must be learning all of our lives.” This quote, attributed to Florence Nightingale in the 1800’s, foreshadows the need for nurses to constantly learn and adapt to be key contributors in health care. This mandate has never been more important than it is today as nurses strive to meet the the challenges of COVID.

Week 4: May 24-31, 2020
Community Engagement
Help promote nurses’ invaluable contributions by engaging with your community, educating them on what nurses do, and encouraging future nurses. Think of how YOU can help the nurses in your community during this unprecedented time!

What to Write in a Thank You Card for Nurses

Nurses do many things and play multiple roles when they are working to take care of people – it is difficult to write it all down! Sometimes the best way to say thank you is the simplest, with a nice card or thoughtful handwritten note. A written thank you is wonderful during Nurse’s Week (May 6-12), but any time is a good time to write a sincere thank you to a nurse! Whether it is for a nurse that cared for you or a loved one, or a nurse in your life, it is always a meaningful gesture. Here are suggestions of what to write:

1.  “Your passion for our patients’ health is appreciated every day. Thank you for all you do.”

2.  “Your compassion, optimism and kindness do not go unnoticed. We appreciate you!”

3.  “Because of you, we live in a happier, healthier world. Happy Nurses Week.”

4.  “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

5.  “Just a moment to recognize you and your hard work. Happy Nurses Week!”

6.  “You go above and beyond to make our patients comfortable. Thank you.”

7.  “You are a valued member of our team. Thank you for being the amazing nurse you are!”

8.  “You brighten peoples’ days—including ours. Happy Nurses Week!”

9.  “Our patients love you and the hard work you do does not go unnoticed. Thank you for everything. Happy Nurses Week!”

10.  “Thank you for being an amazing nurse. Our team appreciates all that you do. Happy Nurses Week!”

11 Best Ways to Thank a Nurse!

Nurses have always been our everyday heroes, and especially now during COVID they are in the spotlight for their hard work, sacrifice and incredible dedication. They work selflessly to help others, sometimes even putting themselves at risk or having to separate themselves from their families while they courageously treat patients. No matter if they are working in a hospital, doctor’s office, private home health care, or any other setting, nurses are front line workers and fight courageously for the well being and health of the American people. Now more than every it is important to show the nurses in our lives gratitude and appreciation!

Practicing social distancing means that we should not throw a big party for nurses, or give hugs, or a gift certificate to a masseuse. In fact, it is helpful for nurses when we wear masks in public and follow safety precautions because it helps keep them safe too! Even though this year is different, there are still many creative ways to thank a nurse!

1. A kind, handwritten note expressing your thanks. 
2. Chocolate – giving the nurse in your life gourmet chocolates is a sweet way to say thank you
3. Compression socks – these socks can soothe aches and prevent swelling during those long shifts!
4. Sending a sincere thank you text, email or leaving a voicemail telling them how much you appreciate the incredible work they do and how proud you are of them. Calls are great too, they just may not be able to pick up during their busy days!
5. Healthy snacks – snacks like granola or energy bars, dried fruit, nuts, dried chickpeas, pretzels, and instant oatmeal are great to give to a nurse because they can be eaten on the go!
6. Caffeine – nurses work long and busy shifts, and caffeine helps them to stay energized. A gift card for their favorite coffee place, a high quality travel mug or bag of quality coffee or tea should do the trick!
7. Flowers – everyone loves getting flowers! You can opt for flower delivery and include a sweet note as well!
8. Yardwork – Nurses are on their feet for long periods of time, and surprising them by helping with labor intensive yardwork will be very appreciated!
9. Small gift – nurses can never have enough pens, and a quality pen or set of pens will go to good use. Nice hand cream is also great, nurses’ hands become dry and cracked due to frequent handwashing and wearing gloves! 
10. Meals – donating pizza or a delivery meal to a nursing unit at a hospital or healthcare center is a great gesture to show your appreciation for our nurses!
11. Public Thank You – Put up a sign on your front lawn or window thanking nurses! You can also show public support with bumper sticks, tshirts, bracelets, and more!

National Nurse’s Day!

National Nurses Day is tomorrow, May 6!

Registered nurses are the lifeblood of any medical facility! The nurse is often the first person a patient sees when they come in and the last person they see when they leave. May 6 is National Nurses Day and the first day of National Nurses Week. With registered nurse staffing always a priority in any hospital, it is important to make sure your nurses feel loved and appreciated, especially now during COVID! Private Home Care honors nurses everywhere and expresses our deep appreciation for nurses and their incredible work and spirit!