May is one of my favorite months. The sun starts to shine a bit brighter; days are just a little longer, and it is officially time to celebrate some of my favorite humans, NURSES! The American Nurses Association has declared May as Nurse's Month. That means we get a whole month to promote and show appreciation for nurses’ invaluable daily work.
Recognizing and rewarding nurses is crucial for healthcare organizations. Yes, I said crucial, not just nice to have extra. Why? According to Gallup, recognition supports employee retention and commitment while encouraging growth and development. "Recognition (when done right) positively impacts many aspects of an employee's personal and professional life. Even people who say they never want to be recognized experience a boost in engagement, well-being, and belonging when they're recognized frequently (regardless of age or tenure)." What does recognition done right look like? Still, to the five pillars, recognition should be fulfilling, authentic, equitable, embedded in the culture, and personalized. 1
It's important to note that rewards and recognition don't have to be grand gestures; small tokens of appreciation can also go a long way in showing nurses that they are valued and appreciated.
Here are five ideas to get you started:
- Verbal praise and recognition: Simply saying "thank you" and acknowledging a nurse's hard work can go a long way in boosting morale and motivation.
- Celebrating special occasions: Recognizing special occasions such as Nurses Week, birthdays, or work anniversaries with small tokens of appreciation, such as flowers or a card, can help create a positive work environment and boost morale.
- Professional development opportunities: Providing opportunities for professional growth, such as tuition reimbursement or attending conferences, shows that the organization is invested in the nurse's long-term career development.
- Time off: Providing additional time off, such as an extra day off or extended breaks, is a great way to show appreciation and help nurses recharge.
- Monetary rewards: Offering bonuses, gift cards, or other financial incentives is a great way to recognize and reward nurses. It shows that the organization values their hard work and dedication.
This month the IONRP team wanted to ensure we did our part to show appreciation for our nurse colleagues. To do so, we are running a month-long campaign to recognize the great work nurses are doing through the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program. Throughout May, we will be highlighting our nominees. Keep an eye on our website and social media and help us celebrate. You Make a Difference!
Facebook: @iaonlinenurseresidency
Twitter: @IowaOnlineNRP
LinkedIn: @Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program
Nicole Weathers, MSN, RN, NPD-BC
Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program Manager
References
- Lorenz, E. (2022, August 29). How to Bridge the Generational Gap in Recognition. Gallup. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/396470/bridge-generational-gap-recognition.aspx