You At Your Best

By KaReN RICe NWa DeMoCRaT-GazeTTe Nursing is a physically demanding, emotionally exhausting, and all too often, a thankless job. Studies have shown that nurses are the most trusted healthcare professionals, and are the heart and soul of the healthcare system. They are often the first people patients see in the hospital or doctor's office. They assist doctors, make hospital stays more comfortable, give immunizations and take blood samples. They answer questions, provide emotional support and bring smiles to the faces of patients and their family members. Nurse practitioners may even serve as the primary healthcare provider, offering diagnoses and writing prescriptions. While May 6-12 is officially the week set aside to show appreciation to nurses, any time is a good time to thank nurses for all they do. Making a difference in a patient's health is the ultimate reward for nurses, but being appreciated is important, too. In fact, studies have shown that patient satisfaction is related to nurse satisfaction, so there are benefits for both parties if a nurse feels appreciated. Here are a few ways to honor the nurses in your life: Know your nurse's name (or at least try to remember) Praise your nurse's efforts in front of the attending physician. Respect visiting hours Don't ask your nurse to extend them or allow extra people in the room if it goes against policy. Write a note or card, or just say thanks and smile One of the easiest ways to thank a nurse is to simply tell them how much their care has meant to you. Even a verbal, heartfelt thanks to a nurse in person will make an impact. For a planned hospital stay, pack a blank thank you card to take along and write before your stay ends. A handwritten note can go a long way towards showing appreciation to a nurse who has helped you or someone you love. Including a gift card for a massage or soothing spa treatment is a meaningful gesture for nurses who tend to the needs of others and rarely take time to care for themselves. Provide a snack, a treat or a meal A gift of an assortment of healthy snacks such as protein bars, nuts or fruit and veggies can help nurses keep their energy up during busy, long shifts. A gift card for their favorite coffee place, a mug with a bag of coffee, or a freshly brewed/steeped cup can also do the trick. An edible arrangement is a beautiful, fuss- free way to show your appreciation. You can also offer to have a meal delivered to the hospital or medical office so that all nurses on staff can partake. If you'd like to thank one nurse in particular, give that nurse a gift card to a nearby restaurant. Pamper their hardworking feet Nurses spend hours on their feet, causing pain or stiffness throughout the body. A good pair of compression socks can make a difference in soothing pain and preventing swelling. One pair can last a long time and provide many comfortable shifts. It's truly a gift that truly keeps on giving. You can also present a gift card to a store that specializes in comfort shoes or custom orthotics. A certificate for a pedicure or foot massage would also be welcome. Give a meaningful gift For something they can wear on the job, treat nurses to a Steth-o-Charm®, which is a charm that slides securely onto stethoscopes. The charms add a cheery touch and also help keep nurses' stethoscopes from walking way. Or, give a decorative badge reel. Nurses must wear identification or have swipe cards on their person to gain access to areas of hospitals. A colorful or decorative badge reel can be a nice way to brighten up a nurse's day. thanking nurses for all they do • January 27th is School Nurse Day. • On average, nurses walk four to five miles every 12-hour shift they work. That's a lot of walking. • The first record of nurses dates all the back to 300 A.D. in the Roman Empire. • According to the latest data available to the World Health Organization, Finland, Norway, Monaco, Ireland and Belarus have, in that order, the highest ratios of nurses per capita of all nations, ranging from 2,162 to 1,182 nurses per 100,000 people. • The National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses was formed in 1908. • According to a 2001 World Health Organization report, the number of psychiatric nurses in poor countries is about 0.1 per 100,000 persons. • Men and women between the ages of 25 and 44 account for 33 percent of all people in the U.S. who come to emergency rooms with injury-related wounds. • In 1846 the first hospital training school for nurses, the Institute for Protestant Deaconesses, was established in the town of Kaiserwerth, Germany. • The American Nurses Association, first known as the Nurses Associated Alumnae, was started in 1898. Interesting facts about nursing 75 there were 75 existing Doctorate of Nursing programs in the U.s. in 2002, comprising 0.6% of all registered nurses. 1,100 there were 1,100 existing Practical Nursing programs in the U.s. in 2002. 8 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST mAY - BEST nURSES | SATURdAY, ApRil 27, 2019

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