Updated October 21, 2022 – Nurses are some of the most selfless people on the planet and the unsung heroes of our healthcare system. They work long hours, often under difficult circumstances, and rarely receive the recognition they deserve.
After all, when you’re in a hospital bed or at home getting nursing care, it can be difficult to say “thank you” to your nurse during those long sleepless nights.
If you’ve ever had a nurse who has helped you or a loved one, take a moment to say thank you. It’s not hard, and it can mean a lot to them.
That’s why the recognition of National and International Nurses Day is so important. They are the healthcare workers on the front lines that put themselves in danger each and every single day.
We have especially come to appreciate the personal sacrifice they’ve made and the incredible work they do since the covid pandemic began.
May 6, 2023 is National Nurses Day here in the USA.
May 12, 2023 is International Nurses Day.
In this blog post, we will discuss different ways that you can say thank you to nurses for all that they do!
How Nurses Day Began
On May 12, 1954, Dorothy Dix, a syndicated columnist for the New York Evening Post, wrote an article titled “What About Nurses?”
In this article, Dix asked readers to think about nurses and all they do for society. She argued that nurses were some of the most important people in the world but were often taken for granted.
This article caught the attention of ANA President Frances Payne Bolton, who then worked with Dix to create Nurses Day. The first Nurses Day was celebrated on October 15, 1955.
Since then, International Nurses Day has been celebrated annually on May 12th in honor of Florence Nightingale‘s birthday.
It has become a day to acknowledge the vital role nurses play in our lives and to thank them for their dedication and hard work.
- The International Council of Nurses promotes the holiday every year
- National Nurses Day is on May 6th and commemorates the beginning of National Nurses Week (May 6 – 12 annually) – both of which are promoted by the American Nurses Association
- As is fitting, one day or week just isn’t enough to express gratitude for the essential rols these wonderful nurses provide, so National Nurses Month is celebrated the entire month of May
Here are some quick ideas on how you can say thank you to a nurse:
-Give them a handwritten note or card expressing your gratitude
-Make a donation to a nursing school or charity in their name
-Send flowers or a gift basket
-Do something nice for them, such as cooking a meal or running errands
Whatever you do, take the time to let a nurse know how much you appreciate all they do! Thank you, nurses, for everything!
How Do You Make A Nurse Feel Appreciated?
Are you and your family members wondering how you can possibly say a good enough “Thank You” to a nurse that has impacted your life during your time of need?
There are so many ways to say thank you, and it’s never too late to say thanks. Nurses work hard every day to care for their patients and they often go unrecognized for the selfless work that they do.
If you want your nurse to know how much you appreciate their hard work, try these suggestions that we give you below.
Thank You Note To Nurse From Patient
A great way to say thank you is by giving or sending a thank you card / letter to express your deep appreciation and thanks for their good work is always a great gesture and most appreciated.
I know that I always loved the beautiful cards and notes that I would get from my patients when I worked as an Occupational Therapist.
It may seem that there just aren’t enough words that you can write or say to show your appreciation for the amazing job your nurses did for you, but you can certainly pen your thoughts down – no matter how it’s worded.
The thought behind the act is what the nurses will appreciate the most.
Here are some ideas for thoughtful messages you can write:
“Thank you for everything you have done for me. You are an amazing nurse and I am so grateful to have you as my caregiver. Thank you for your compassion, care, and dedication. You have made a difference in my life and I will always remember your kindness. Thank you!”
“Your excellent care and compassion have meant so much to me during this difficult time. I will never forget your kindness and dedication. With my deepest gratitude, [signed…].”
“Thank you for the amazing care you’ve given me / my family member. You have truly made a difference and I am so grateful! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!”
“I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for me. You are an amazing nurse and I am so grateful to have you as my caregiver. Thank you for your compassion, care, and dedication. You have made a difference in my life and I will always remember your kindness. Thank you!”
“Thank you for being the best nurse I could ask for. You’ve been there for me through these challenging times and I really appreciate it.”
Here are some suggestions from the great folks at Hallmark.
Short Thank You Quotes For Nurses
If you’re looking for a way to show your appreciation for a nurse in your life, one thoughtful option is to use short thank you quotes. These quotes can be used in cards, letters, or even just a quick note to say thanks.
There are many different ways to use short thank you quotes for nurses.
You could choose one that resonates with you and write it down in a card or letter. Or, if you’re pressed for time, simply write down the quote on a piece of paper and leave it on their desk or at the nurse’s station.
No matter how you choose to use them, these quotes are sure to let nurses know just how much you appreciate all they do.
Here are some ideas of short thank-you quotes:
“Thank you for your compassion and care.”
“You make a difference every day.”
“Thank you for being an amazing nurse!”
“Thank you for all that you do!”
“I’m so grateful for your help and care.”
“Thank you for your dedication to your patients.”
“Thank you for always going above and beyond.”
“Thank you for being such a great nurse!”
“Thanks for everything, I couldn’t have done it without you!”
What Do Nurses Like To Receive As Gifts?
A small gift to say thank you to a nurse could be a card, flowers, or a basket of goodies. Plus, there are MANY other nurse themed types of products and gifts that you could give – you can see what they are by clicking here.
I went ahead and pulled out some that I thought you might like to give to the person(s) who helped your or a loved one in their care.
Snacks And Treats
Put together your own basket of goodies that any nursing staff can snack on throughout the day or – order one online to be delivered to them!
You can select from a variety of different kinds like…
Most nurses work on their feet all day, a gift to make that easier for them like Crocs or Compression socks can be greatly appreciated!
It’s one way to help take care of those who take such good care of you.
Compression Socks
Crocs Shoes
Running Errands
Lets remember that our nurses have families to take care of also and with so many working overtime because of staffing shortages, they may not have as much time as they would like to care for their family members.
So, a gift of time or a service can be greatly appreciated.
This will of course depend on your relationship with that nurse or nurses but helping them with some of the simple tasks like grocery shopping can be something that would certainly let them know how much they are appreciated.
Gift Cards
If you can’t run the task for them then perhaps a gift certificate or gift card could be the next best thing.
These are great gifts for the nurses and health care professionals who go that extra mile to provide you with compassionate care.
Amazon Gift Cards
Much Needed Caffeine
The boost of caffeine can help our nurses to get through long shifts.
Starbucks Gift Card
Dunkin’ Donuts Gift Card
Nurse Themed Mugs
For all that coffee (and tea) that they need to drink throughout the day – it’s nice to have your very own mug!
Face Masks For When Nurses Are Off Duty
Now, we know that these face masks aren’t to be used while they are working – but these days – having some fun and creative face masks can help nurses and other medical professionals to stay healthy when they are off duty.
Symbols Of Angels
We all know that a great majority of nurses are angels. They are heroes in the face of adversity and providing support on a daily basis for those who need it most.
Here are just two examples of how you can thank your nurse(s) for being the angels that they are.
You can see even more angel themed type of gifts that you can give – just click here!
Why Nurses Should Be Appreciated More
Nurses are a vital part of society. Nurses provide care and compassion for patients who often don’t have anyone else to turn to.
They work tirelessly, without rest or additional pay during holidays, on the weekends, in the evenings and early mornings.
You may be wanting to say a special thanks to your nurses and health care workers if they’ve taken care of you after a medical procedure.
Or perhaps they are working with you through chronic medical conditions or mental health problems.
No matter what bad experience you are going through – the essential role of nurses is help you and give you the kind of care that you deserve.
So, whatever gift you give or any kind word that you express to your nurses, know that this will go a long way in helping these folks feel appreciated for their selfless service.
Please take the time to thank nurses and other medical staff for their service that they provide everyday with such dedication.
We, here at SeniorSafetyAdvice.com are so appreciative of the amazing work that the nurses around the world have done during the pandemic, especially when going to work has meant that they, too, could become sick.
Nurses, we thank you and send you our best wishes!
