Nurse Appreciation Week: How to Support Nurses
Nurses have always been essential to the healthcare system, but the COVID-19 pandemic brought their contributions to the forefront. They were on the front lines of the crisis, providing care and support to patients, often at great personal risk. It’s Nurse Appreciation Week, another opportunity to reflect on the role of nurses and the importance of recognizing their hard work and dedication.
Nurse Appreciation Week: Honoring and Supporting Nurses
Most of us could not imagine the many challenges nurses faced during the pandemic. They endured long hours in high-stress environments, often with limited resources and personal protective equipment. They quickly adapted to new protocols and guidelines while also dealing with the emotional toll of caring for seriously ill patients. They made difficult decisions, including rationing limited resources or recommending when to withdraw care. They offered the only real form of interpersonal connection when their patients’ loved ones weren’t allowed to visit hospitals.
Even now, the stress on nurses continues. Many healthcare systems are under financial stress, impacting staffing and other resources and affecting a nurse’s ability to deliver high-quality care. Nurses are suffering from burnout and the lasting psychological effects. Some have even left the profession entirely. Nurses remaining in the profession need support as much now as ever.
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
The magnitude of nurses’ efforts should be recognized. Many went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure their patients received the best possible care. Equiliem’s CAO Shannon Block, who also leads the company’s Healthcare division, recalls a specific example of this. “One of our paramedics working at a vaccination site recognized that an autistic child had a severe aversion to coming into the Javits Center due to the sheer size and magnitude of the place. Instead of forcing him to be uncomfortable, and potentially regress, she actually vaccinated this individual in his car outside of the center to be sure he could receive the necessary vaccination, without overloading him from a sensory perspective.”
There are countless examples of healthcare professionals whose hard work and commitment is admirable, and their efforts did not go unnoticed. Many communities demonstrated their appreciation for nurses by holding parades, lighting up buildings in blue, and donating meals or gifts. Block recalls accounts from neighborhoods in New York where “every night people banged on pots and pans to thank the healthcare heroes.” Some nurses have reported feeling overwhelmed by the outpouring of support but were also motivated to continue providing the best possible care to their patients. Others have noted that the support from their communities has helped them cope with the stress and challenges of working on the front lines of the pandemic.
However, it’s important to note that not all nurses have felt equally supported during the pandemic. Some healthcare workers have faced discrimination or stigma due to concerns about the transmission of COVID-19. Additionally, healthcare workers from marginalized communities or working in low-income areas may not have received the same level of support as those in more affluent areas. Others lost their jobs due to vaccine mandates despite their dedicated support.
It’s vital to continue advocating for policies and practices that support these essential workers in the long term, beyond the pandemic.
Ways to Show Support
As we recognize Nurse Appreciation Week this year, it is important to show appreciation for nurses’ hard work and support them in their ongoing efforts. This can be done in a number of ways, including:
- Providing mental health and well-being resources, such as counseling services or support groups.
- Offering flexible schedules or time off to help nurses recharge and prevent burnout.
- Providing opportunities for professional development and continuing education to help nurses stay up to date on the latest best practices and techniques.
Nurses have always been essential to the healthcare system, but the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted their importance in a new way. They have demonstrated incredible dedication and commitment in the face of unprecedented challenges.
Nurse Care: A Priority Going Forward
Nurse Appreciation Week provides an opportunity to recognize nurses’ hard work and dedication during the pandemic and beyond. They have faced unprecedented challenges and have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their patients. We celebrate their contributions and advocate for their ongoing support.
Providing support and resources to help nurses cope with emotional and physical demands is crucial for their ongoing success and the overall health of the healthcare system.