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How communities can honor local nurses

The stress associated with the nursing profession has been well documented. A 2022 study published in the journal BMC Nursing found that job stress not only has an adverse effect on nurses’ health, but also may reduce performance and quality of care, potentially affecting the outcome of patients.

There’s no denying nurses have a lot of weight on their shoulders. That reality underscores the importance of letting nurses know how much they’re appreciated. Community leaders can consider these ideas as they look for ways to honor local nurses.

· Recognize nurses at public events. Parades, high school sporting events, holiday tree lighting ceremonies, and other communitycentric events draw large crowds. That makes these events the perfect time to honor local nurses and emphasize all the work they do to help their neighbors. Ask a local nurse or two to serve as grand marshal(s) in a holiday parade and/or let local nurses flip the switch at a tree lighting ceremony. Community dignitaries like a mayor or local police chief can explain who the honoree is once the crowd gathers.

· Support a nursing charity. A community-wide campaign to support a charity that benefits nurses or causes important to nurses can be a great way to thank them for all they do. Various domestic and international organizations are linked to the nursing profession. Prior to introducing a campaign, community leaders can speak with local nurses to see if there is any specific charity or cause important to them. Some charities may provide job training in communities where nursing shortages have made it hard for locals to access quality health care, while others may finance health care operations, including staffing of nurses, in underprivileged countries.

· Publicize and support efforts to improve on-the-job safety for nurses. The American Nurses Association noted that nurses were forced to reuse masks or purchase their own safety equipment during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Communities that want to express their appreciation for nurses can support efforts to ensure working conditions are safe for nurses and that nurses don’t need to reach into their own pockets in an effort to avoid illness.

· Embrace public health efforts. One of the most effective ways to honor local nurses is to take a little off their professional plate. Community leaders can urge residents to get their annual flu shots and update other vaccinations in an effort to keep hospital admissions low, which in turn makes nurses’ jobs easier.

Nurses are worthy of praise. Communities can do much to show these invaluable health care professionals how much their efforts and sacrifices are appreciated. TF235912