NURSES WEEK
How to show a nurse you care
COURIER L M BR B G IFE, MAY 3–9, 2019 41
National
2019
Nurses are often the fi rst people patients see
when visiting hospitals. According to the
United States Department of Health and Human
Services Health Resources Services Administration
there were 2.8 million registered nurses,
including advanced practice registered nurses,
and 690,000 licensed practical nurses, in the
United States between the years of 2008 and 2010.
Nurses fi ll many roles in the medical community,
assisting doctors and helping to make in-patient
stays more comfortable for men and women
who are ill or injured. Specialized nurses, such
as nurse practitioners, may even serve as the primary
healthcare provider, offering diagnoses and
writing prescriptions.
While there is a specifi c week set aside to
show appreciation to nurses, many people agree
that they deserve recognition throughout the
year. Any instance is a good time to give back to
nurses, and the following are a few ways to honor
the nurses in your life:
Play caretaker to him or her. Nurses tend to
the needs of others all the time, but some nurses
do not get the respite they deserve. Those who
want to show appreciation to a nurse who has
helped them in their lives can present the nurse
with a gift card for a massage and soothing spa
treatment.
Cater a meal. Offer to cater a meal at the hospital
or medical offi ce so that all nurses on staff
can benefi t. If there is one nurse in particular
you want to treat, give that nurse a gift card to a
nearby restaurant.
Provide foot relief. Nurses spend hours on
their feet, and that can cause pain or stiffness
throughout the body. Present a gift card to a store
that specializes in comfort shoes or custom orthotics.
A certifi cate for a pedicure or foot massage
would no doubt be appreciated as well.
Create a charmed existence. Charm bracelets
are the rage right now, and nurses may appreciate
a bracelet that highlights their career path
with specifi c charms. For something they can
wear on the job, treat nurses to a Steth-o-Charm,
which is a charm that slides securely onto stethoscopes.
These charms come in many designs and
can make for a memorable gift.
Give a decorative badge reel. Nurses must
wear identifi cation or have swipe cards on them
to gain access to areas of hospitals. Many badges
are standard items without any fl are or style. A
colorful or decorative badge reel can be a nice way
to brighten up a nurse’s day.
Give verbal or handwritten thanks. One of
the easiest and most heartfelt ways to show your
appreciation to nurses is to simply tell them how
you feel. Offer a handwritten note or speak with
a nurse in person. Such a simple gesture does not
take much effort, but it is bound to make an impact.
Nurses bring smiles to the faces of their patients. Find out how you can show your appreciation and garner a few smiles in return.