Nurses are the Heartbeat of the World
The ANA theme for this week
of Nurses Month is
Recognition
“Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent
in others belong to us as well.”
VOLTAIRE
Although nursing is one of the most rewarding professions, we know from experience it is also extremely challenging. However, how great does it feel when we are recognized at work? Being recognized in an individualized and meaningful way enhances a sense of value and greater purpose, leading to us to greater fulfillment and higher job satisfaction.
When is the last time you were recognized? When is the last time you recognized someone else?
During this pandemic we know nurses have served as the backbone of healthcare. This is not surprising to us. As nurses we always rise to any challenge and continue to provide compassionate care, which as we know, is often at the expense of our own well-being. COVID-19 has illuminated to the world the true superheroes we are. We finally felt the praise and recognition for all hard work we selflessly endure.
I do not know about you but, a year later I am I am craving more than food deliveries and thank you notes. I would rather be appreciated for my value, my worth as a nurse and a person, rather than what I do every day. Being genuinely appreciated for my work raises my morale and shifts my mindset from negative to positive.
When is the last time you felt appreciated at work? When is the last time you showed appreciation for someone at work?
As we move forward this week I invite you to find ways to show both recognition (attention to what someone does) AND appreciation (attention to who someone is) to each other, as we need both to create healthy workplaces.
Here are some options for nurse leaders and that go beyond the pizza parties, ice cream socials and treats, and can provide recognition and appreciation at no cost.
Ways to Appreciate and Recognize Your Staff:
Actively listen. Listening with intent allows you to understand problems and collaborate to develop solutions. This also builds mutual trust and understanding, and self-empowerment.
Seek input. Nurses want to know their opinion matters. Ask your nurses what they think about upcoming initiatives or how things can be improved on your unit. They often know how to solve issues and have the best ideas.
Care about your staff’s well-being. Nothing tells a nurse I appreciate you more than caring about them as a person rather than just an employee. Ask about their family, or how school is going. Cover them for a break when you see they are stressed. Authentically showing you care says “I appreciate you.”
Ask your staff what brings them joy and meaning in work. “What matters to you?” This question helps facilitate a conversation showing you care about co-creating meaningful strategies to address barriers they may have and provide needed support.
Rethink your breakroom. Is your breakroom cluttered? Is there rotten milk or old takeout containers in the staff refrigerator? Take a few moments to declutter, take down some of the papers on your bulletin boards, or worse signs in the staff bathroom 😊. When I was a nurse manager I made an appointment on my calendar once a month to clean the staff fridge and conference room. Sometimes just having a neat and clean space to take a break is the best appreciation!
Ways to Appreciate and Recognize your Colleagues:
Give a SHOUT OUT! Say thank you during shift huddles. Having a coworker acknowledge you promotes mutual respect, appreciation, and reinforces teamwork.
Connect. Send a text with a specific expression of appreciation.
Put a post-it note of gratitude on a locker. A little note of thank you goes a long way and can kick start a shift or brighten up even the worst day.
Gift them a break. Cover for someone to take an unexpected break.
Say “thank you” or “I appreciate you” in the moment! When in doubt, a verbal nod goes a long way.
Love bomb a colleague this week by nominating them to win a FREE Replenish Care Package!
As we continue this month of recognition, we remain committed to connecting and collaborating with you as our peers. Let’s continue to share stories, make connections, and express how much we appreciate and depend on each other!