Nursing can be rewarding, but it also comes with challenges like shortages, the COVID-19 pandemic, and workplace violence. It’s no surprise that nurses greatly recognition for your achievements.
Recognizing how nurses have made a difference in their patients’ lives doesn’t have to last only this week—nurses can celebrate their successes anytime. However, if you want to acknowledge your efforts in nursing during National Nurses Week, here are four strategies to help you feel proud of how far you’ve come.
Write Down a List of Accomplishments
Perfectionism can cause us to discount our big and small work goals. Small successes count (even if you’re an experienced nurse!)
According to a 2021 Journal of Healthcare Leadership study, empowerment, and autonomy are two critical aspects of overall job satisfaction for nurses to feel in a positive work environment. A list of accomplishments, or a “wins” list, can help you feel like you’re in control of your career and confident in your nursing journey.
You can use a pen or paper, a sticky note, or a notes app on your phone. Start simple and write down the first thing that comes to mind. Some examples could include “got to work on time” or “talked to a colleague during my break.” Over time, you can trust yourself to think of more specific ideas you forgot about.
If you want, share them with a nurse or close friend you trust for validation, or if you’d prefer not to, read them aloud to yourself and see how you feel.
Take Your Breaks When You Can
This may not apply to you, but if you find yourself skipping a couple of shift breaks to fit in work tasks, consider building in 15 to 30 minute breaks every two hours.
Nurses, especially those who work eight—to 12-hour shifts, have reported missing opportunities to take on-shift breaks, although there hasn’t been enough research to suggest why. This might be because of an increased workload or lack of a quiet space to decompress.
However, it could be that their workplace doesn’t allow for an environment conducive to small breaks. Many healthcare facilities have broken policies, but federal law does not require them to enforce them. Often, nurses have to use their discretion during busy shifts to see if they can take breaks during understaffed units.
A solution for this is for managers and those in leadership positions to reach out to nurses and ask them how they’d like to be supported so that they’re more likely to take breaks.
One strategy for facilitating break time is to use a buddy system where one or more nurses can take over the role of the nurse who needs a rest break or provide a dark, quiet room where nurses can take naps.
If you encounter a situation where either of these options isn’t possible, think about what you can do individually to rest. Can you take 10 minutes to breathe inside an empty office or do some stretches while sitting? Is there a way to schedule breaks into your work tasks so that they are a priority?
Although it might not feel like it sometimes, breaks are a right, not a luxury, taking care of yourself first can reduce errors on the job and help you feel more rested and relaxed.
Schedule Self-care Activities on Your Day Off
If you find yourself having no idea what to do on your day off, think about what you’ve thought about doing for fun that “one day in the future.” It could look like going to an ice cream shop with a friend or driving two hours to the nearest national park you’ve wanted to hike at. Your day off can be filled with activities that don’t remind you of work stress, so you can add them to your personal wellness toolbox.
Find easy ways to remember to do the activity you’ve always wanted to do. Could you make a day trip out of your free day? Schedule it on your calendar weeks in advance so you won’t forget. You deserve something to look forward to during your well-deserved time with yourself.
Create a Recognition Board
Nurses couldn’t do what they do today without the teamwork of other nurses at their side. If you’re in a leadership position, consider creating a recognition board that honors the different achievements of each of your nurses.
Get creative with your board—use cardstock with bright colors, bulletin board letters, or photos highlighting your unit’s values (and favorite colors).
Ideas of what to include are:
- New nurses’ success stories.
- Patient testimonials highlighting nurses’ hard work.
- Words of encouragement from one nurse to another.
One unique example is a “staff shoutout” board where nurses can grab a sticky note from the board, think of a coworker who has helped them or has been doing great at their role, and compliment them.
If you have nurses in school, another example would be to create a “congratulations” board for the nurses who have graduated or received a certification.
Are you still stuck on ideas? For National Nurses Week, the American Nurses Association has a toolkit of printable assets and graphics, such as thank you notes, for you to use and decorate your workplace.
Remember that these ideas apply to any week—not just National Nurses Week! We could all use recognition in our lives, and nurses are no exception.
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