National Nurses Week: How to Shows Your Thanks
The nursing profession has been on the front lines of the COVID-19 fight. The global pandemic illustrated for all of us just how vital nurses are. National Nurses Week is from May 6-12, and it gives all of us a chance to honor these healthcare warriors. But is a week even enough? The World Health Organization has designated 2020 at the Year of the Nurse. As the front line providers during the coronavirus, it’s clear that a single day isn’t enough. Here’s how you can thank a nurse during this important week.
How COVID-19 Impacts Critical Care Nurses
Health Leaders Media discusses some of the negative impacts the pandemic is having on our nation’s nursing providers. While the rest of the country is sheltering in place, our nation’s clinical providers are facing challenging conditions as they battle COVID-19:
- The obvious shortage of personal protective equipment has left many nurses facing possible exposure to a deadly illness.
- Conversely, wearing this additional gear while trying to simply do your job adds to the stress.
- Some nurses are losing their jobs as most routine surgeries have been postponed or canceled.
- The stress is high, as there is no cure for this virus combined with a shortage of ventilators and other necessary equipment.
Given the unprecedented response by our nation’s healthcare workers during these challenging times, what can the average person do to show their support during National Nurses Week?
10-Ways To Celebrate National Nurses Week, May 6-12
1. Give to the Coronavirus Response Fund sponsored by the American Nurses Association. Click here to donate.
2.Volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) by clicking here. The MRC is 175,000 volunteers in 850 community-based units around the country. These volunteers respond in times of national disasters.
3. Give blood or volunteer with the American Red Cross. Click here to schedule.
4. Contact your Member of Congress to encourage them to provide nurses with the critical support they need to do their job.
5. Stage a public show of support by creating thank you signs and standing outside a hospital or other medical facility. Or, place a homemade sign in your yard so passersby can see it.
6. Share the good word about nurses on your social media page. Nurses.org is using the hashtag #SupportHealthcareHeroes.
7. Make and donate fabric masks to healthcare facilities. Click here for do-it-yourself instructions. Then check out Mask-Match, which connects healthcare workers that need personal protective equipment with volunteers who donate or make this equipment.
8. Call a local hospital information line and find out their protocols for donating lunch to a unit. Since COVID-19 can live on surfaces, we recommend calling the hospital first to see how to proceed.
9. If you know a nurse or other healthcare worker, offer to provide childcare, mow their grass, or pay for their evening takeout.
10. Create a coronavirus gofundme page. You could search for causes to contribute or start your own page.
While these are just a few ideas for supporting nurses during National Nurses Week, May 6 through 12, you may think of your own. The point is that we all work together to support nurses, who provide an essential service during the COVID-19 crisis. The Custom Group of Companies would like to express our sincere appreciation for all front line workers in healthcare. Call us if your healthcare organization needs additional help to relieve the pressures you’re organization is experiencing.
