With Valentine’s Day approaching, it’s the perfect time to express love to those who show us care and compassion daily. Nurses work tirelessly and actively, and demonstrating kindness and consideration for the nurses in our lives lets them know that people recognize their hard work and dedication to their jobs. For years, nurses have been dealing with unrealistic workloads, inadequate resources, and strains on their mental and physical health. This list will provide you with ideas on how to make sure the nurses in your community feel the love this February.
1. Learn Their Names
Making an effort to learn the names of the nurses that are providing you care and help when you go to a hospital or a clinic is a sign of respect. It lets the nurses around you know that you are mindful of the people around you and the hard work they are putting in.
2. Check On Their Well-Being
With heavy workloads, lack of sleep, and emotional tolls, nurses are consistently placed through the wringer. Asking nurses how they are doing, especially if you can see that they are going through a tough time, reassures them that people care and that brighter days are ahead.
3. Participate in Community Events
Clinics and hospitals across the United States are consistently looking for volunteers. Whether it is donating blood, preparing snacks, or folding laundry, your efforts to the healthcare community will not go unnoticed and will be greatly appreciated as nurses continue to work through our nation’s nursing shortage.
4. Be Mindful with Your Words
Considering that the vast majority of nurses are fighting burnout, being mindful of the ways your words can make a nurse feel is important. By vocalizing positive questions like “What made you want to get into the healthcare industry?” or “What has a career as a nurse taught you?”, it lets nurses share their passion with you and tucks away any unnecessary discouragement about their profession.
5. Share a Meal
Nurses are consistently on the go. Dropping off grab-and-go lunches or quick snacks at your local hospital or clinic shows nurses the love that their communities have for them. Giving nurses a healthy snack or a baked good can go a long way in terms of appreciation and, on top of that, keeps them motivated to keep going throughout their shift
6. Make Space for the Demands of Nursing on Nurses
12+ hour shifts are exhausting, and many people do not understand the need for rest and restoration when it comes to a career in nursing. We must be empathetic about the demands of nurses, why they are exhausted, and that they have a lot on their minds, shoulders, and hearts.
7. Offer Small Favors
Nurses are pillars in our communities, and just like us, they have families, children, and loved ones as well. If you have a friend, sibling, or neighbor who works in nursing, offer to do small favors for them. It can be as simple as picking up their groceries, babysitting their children, watering their plants, walking their dog, and more. This small act of kindness can take some stress off their plate and offer a great deal of support.
8. Have Empathy
Making room in your heart to allow other people to be vulnerable with you is a priceless gift. Nurses go through many emotions when they are assisting their patients, and having the courage to be there to support your nursing friends lets them know that they have a shoulder to lean on and solace when they need it in the good times and the bad.
9. Simply Smile
A friendly greeting can go a long way, and showing genuine appreciation for a nurse and their hard work lets them see that you are physically grateful for everything that they do. The old saying goes, “A smile is worth a thousand words,” and this simple act of kindness can truly go a long way.
10. Donate or Volunteer with the Nightingale Foundation
By donating to the education of a current or future nurse in your community, you are showing love by contributing to a better world. Whether your donation comes as time or money, the Nightingale Foundation is consistently working to improve the nation’s health outcomes, health equity, and access to nursing education.
This Valentine’s Day and every day, lets show appreciation for those who give so much of themselves to others.