Honoring the Heroes of Healthcare
Since 1990, National Nurses Week has been celebrated from the Monday to Sunday of the same week as Florence Nightingale’s birthday on May 12th. These permanent dates recognize the role nurses have played in healing humanity and honor the individuals known as the “heart of healthcare”.
Individuals in healthcare professions often choose their work to have a positive impact on others. This outlook means that gifts of appreciation and symbolic awards – handwritten notes, public recognition, etc. – can significantly increase motivation, performance, and retention rates among nurses. We’ve gathered some simple and meaningful ways to make these caregivers feel appreciated during National Nurses Week and all year round.
Say Thanks
Take a page out of your grandmother’s playbook and write a thank-you card! In one study involving social workers, managers wrote a two-sentence note to employees and sent it to their homes. One month later, the social workers who received the personal message reported feeling more valued and supported by their organization than their counterparts who did not receive a card.
Shower Them with Gifts
If you’re incorporating a gift into your Nurses Week celebration, be sure to pay attention to the details. Items that are useful, functional, and attractive like gift sets and cozy blankets show off how much nurses are appreciated.
Employees also report feeling more valued when they can see that their employer took time to choose, purchase, and wrap a present. Depending on the size of your staff, it might be possible to individually wrap gifts. If sheer numbers make that hard to do, look for items that come in a gift box, like high-end tech accessories or trendy vacuum tumblers.
Give Them a Shout-Out
People whose hard work is recognized publicly are shown to be more positive, productive, and innovative.
National Nurses Week is an ideal time to host an awards ceremony that honors staff for longevity and excellence. Some organizations even take the chance to recognize non-nursing employees who go above and beyond in supporting nurses. You can tailor the event to fit your budget, from big bashes with catered meals and entertainment to more low-key affairs with simple hors d’oeuvres.
Tell nurses’ unique stories to local media through press releases and feature their actual photos on marketing materials, blog posts, and social media.
Do you want to create a memorable National Nurses Week?
Contact us today at www.zagbrandingsolutions.com for meaningful promotional product solutions that are sure to make nurses feel special and appreciated.
Wanda Banks Green is the owner of Zag Branding Solutions, a full-service branding agency, specializing in promotional products, corporate gifts, and branded apparel.
0 Comments