6 ways to virtually recognize staff during National Nurses Week
Nursing is undeniably the heart of healthcare, and the current public health crisis has been a stark reminder of the gratitude we owe them every day — and even more so now. Each year National Nurses Week provides an opportunity for healthcare organizations to step back and honor the selfless care, instinctive insights, and tireless effort nurses provide to their patients. This year, however, healthcare organizations and hospitals are more limited in the ways that they can recognize and show gratitude to staff. Usually there would be donuts in the lounge, post-shift gatherings, and visits from discharged or graduated patients. This year asks us to find different ways to recognize and thank our dedicated and courageous heroes in scrubs.
For organizations looking for creative and safe ways to honor nurses during National Nurses Week, here are 6 ways to virtually recognize and engage your staff.
1. Create an Email Campaign
Send specially branded and inspirational content throughout the week with motivational quotes, self-care suggestions, and daily prize-drawings. Differentiate the look and feel of these communications so that they are received as a welcome change from the daily dose of organizational updates and emergency messaging.
2. Send a Video Thank You from Your CNO
There is something about an in-person thank you that resonates more deeply than an email, but the shift-based nature of healthcare, compounded by COVID-19 safety measures, makes it that much harder to say thank you to each nurse in your organization in person. A video message is the next best thing! Request that the CNO (or another leader) record a 15–30 second thank you to nurses that is sent to all staff. As a call to action, ask that others in the organization take time to thank the nurses they are working with, too.
3. Solicit Feedback from Patients and Peers
Nurses walk with us during some of the best and worst moments of our lives, but often never see or hear from patients again after that critical juncture. Nurses Week makes a great platform to ask patients and peers to share feedback and messages of thanks or encouragement. Sometimes patient portals have feedback capabilities, but you can also request patient feedback via email or through a submission form on your website. In today’s climate, make sure patients know they can “deliver” notes via attachments to email or even by text.
4. Mail Thank You Cards
Nothing beats a hand-written note. While time-consuming, real thank you notes are a meaningful way to express gratitude because they require time and thought. To make sending such notes feasible, leverage HR software to address the notes and choose a printed message for the bulk of the card. You can ask volunteers or supervisors to add a signature and an extra line of encouragement or personalization before sending. If physical thank you notes aren’t feasible for your team, both virtual cards and individual phone calls are excellent alternatives for demonstrating appreciation.
5. Highlight Nurses on Social Media
Social media presents a unique opportunity to engage your staff and increase recognition during Nurses Week. Use your platforms to encourage followers to thank a nurse they know or highlight a nurse in your organization who demonstrates the highest values of the profession. As you outline content for the week, consider aligning your media campaigns so that all communication has unified content and the same look and feel.
6. Update Digital Signage
Physical signage is likely to be largely unseen today, but banners and other digital signage can be used to recognize staff and raise awareness. Since many nurses may struggle to get to emails during the day, consider running a banner on your intranet that links back your messaging for the week. Also make sure the option to “thank a nurse” requires only a single click via your organization’s homepage during nursing week.
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