NURSES WEEK
Nurses bring smiles to the faces of their patients. Find out how you can show your appreciation and garner a few smiles in return.
How to show a nurse you care
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, M BT AY 22-28, 2015 19
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.