Te best way to honor America’s nurses isn’t with doughnuts or applause — although those are certainly appreciated. Take real-life action to make a difference
and support our health care heroes.
“The most important thing the general public can do is follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for reducing the risk of
COVID-19 infection, and get vaccinated as soon as the COVID-19 vaccine is available to them,” said Kiersten Henry, chief advanced practice clinician at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olney, Maryland, and director of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses national board of directors.
“Nurses and other health care providers are weary of fighting a losing battle against COVID-19 in seriously ill hospitalized patients. The general public
can help nurses by not becoming patients.” Facing the worst public health crisis in the last 100 years has left many nurses fraught with compassion fatigue, said
Teri Dreher, a board-certified patient advocate and registered nurse.
“Nurses give so much of themselves. People are sending doughnuts and food, and it is appreciated. Nurses tend to eat their feelings. Many nurses are feeling
unheard, though,” she said. Something that would really make a difference is if someone from administration would sit down nurses and ask how they are, Dreher said. “It would mean more if an administrator would come and ask what they or the institution could do to help. They should ask, ‘What do you need? What can I do for you?’ Then put a piece of tape over their mouth and just listen,” she said.
The beauty of a simple gesture meant the most to registered nurse Pamela Jane Nye, CEO and founder of Neuroscience Nursing and CEO of Operation Scrubs, a non-profit devoted to the education, honoring and recognition of nurses through large symposia and unique venues. Nye is volunteering to vaccinate
people against COVID-19 several days a week.
“One patient I vaccinated remembered my name and took the time to go to Starbucks to get me a personally handwritten thank you with a Starbucks gift card,” she said. “My vaccinating colleagues all gathered around when the leadership nurse ‘bestowed’ the gift card. It meant more to me than all the doughnuts in Los Angeles. I don’t think I’m at all different than all the other nurses; we just want to know people notice what we do and are grateful for our work. A thank you, a smile, even the simplest gesture is most meaningful.”
Conceived in 2018, Operation Scrubs switched to a virtual nurse recognition event in 2020. This year, it suspended its planned symposium in favor of a weeklong nurse appreciation celebration. “We plan to shine a very bright light not only on their work during COVID-19, but every day,” Nye said. Take part by saying thank you to the 27 million nurses around the world by signing Operation Scrubs’ virtual billboard. Visit thankanurseteamchallenge.org.
One of the biggest challenges for nurses during the pandemic has been balancing the physical and emotional demands of patient care with the demands of everyday life, Henry said. “As an individual or a community group, consider adopting a nursing unit or an individual nurse and providing them a meal every few weeks,” she said. “Nurses will rarely ask for help; however something as simple as providing a dinner for a nurse and their family is a huge relief.”
Instead of fattening or unhealthy food, shower nurses with self-care kits filled with items like with items like lip balm, Epsom salts and healthy snacks.
“Nurses often put the needs of their patients before themselves, and the pandemic has left nurses weary and without time for self-care,” Henry said. Never underestimate the power of a thank you note, and if you know a nurse, ask them if they are OK. “Ask if they are willing to share their journey,” Henry said. “Nurses involved in caring for COVID-19 patients have many stories to tell, and sharing those stories can be cathartic.”
If a family member is hospitalized, designate a spokesperson and use technology such as Zoom or multiple-line phone calls to allow multiple family members to
receive updates at the same time. “This allows nurses and health care providers to communicate effectively but spend more time at the patient bedside,”
Henry said.
“Be courteous to your health care providers,” Dreher said. “Even when you’re frustrated, be patient and polite. Remember, they are dealing with many, many patients and problems.” Be prepared and plan for your doctors’ appointments.
“Write down your questions in advance; bring an updated list of your medications. Be ready to address your priorities without a lot of chitchat,” Dreher said.
Lastly, be alert. Pay attention, do your research and politely question things that seem off. Make it easy for nurses to do their jobs well by educating and advocating for yourself, Dreher said.
