Over 75% of respondents in Gallup’s annual Most Honest and Ethical Professions Poll consider nurses to be the most trusted profession. This marks the 23rd consecutive year nurses have earned the top spot in the survey.
But this news isn’t surprising. Nurses are always on the front lines of healthcare, earning patients’ trust with grace, patience, and endless compassion.
Yet, their contributions often go unnoticed.
For healthcare providers, showing this much-needed gratitude is not just about saying “thank you” once a year but fostering a culture of support and respect that directly impacts patient outcomes and staff retention.
This article offers practical ways for providers to celebrate and honor our healthcare heroes and explains how this appreciation does more than retain your top nurses; it has a lasting ripple effect on an entire practice.
Why Nursing Appreciation Is Essential
Nurses Need Support
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) released findings from its study, citing that by 2029, almost 40% of nurses intend to leave the workforce.
The most common reasons for leaving the profession are stress and burnout. According to a 2024 Nurse Salary and Work-Life Report, more than half (59%) of all surveyed nurses reported having experienced burnout in the past two years.
Burnout in nursing happens for many reasons, including high patient loads, long working hours, emotional demands, and a lack of support.
Unfortunately, it also impacts mental health. Stress in nursing often leads to anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions, affecting both the nurse’s well-being and their ability to care for patients.
This reality spotlights the urgent need for nursing appreciation—not just during special occasions but all year long and as a sustained part of your healthcare culture.
Nurses are True Innovators
Nurses run entire patient units, provide bedside care, and work collaboratively with other professionals; they also shape the future of healthcare. Some recent nursing innovations driving change include:
- Portable self-inflating seizure pads that are now used nationwide.
- An AI application that streamlines patient access to financial and social services.
- Pop-up mobile clinics offering health screenings, fresh food, and employment opportunities.
By acknowledging the sacrifices, innovation, and contributions of nurses, providers can ensure their nurses feel seen, valued, and motivated to continue what they do best: deliver high-quality, compassionate care.
The Benefits of Nursing Appreciation
It’s time that the compassion and support shown for patients is poured back into nurses. Taking time to offer gratitude for these heroes can cause a ripple effect, benefiting everyone in your organization. Here’s how:
Happy Nurses, Happy Patients
According to The Future of Nursing 2020-2030, “If nurses are not supported in maintaining their physical, emotional, and mental well-being, their ability to support patients, families, and communities will be compromised.”
On the other hand, when nurses feel valued, they are more likely to stay at their jobs, remain engaged, and stay committed to quality patient care. The American Nurses Association (ANA) states that when nurses are given the right support, it leads to:
- Improved patient management and shorter hospital stays.
- Better discharge planning and follow-up care, reducing readmissions.
- Stronger ability to promote healing on a physical and emotional level, such as calming an anxious ICU patient so they’re more open to treatment.
Increase Nurse Retention Through Appreciation
The healthcare industry is facing a major nursing staffing shortage. According to a Health Workforce Analysis, experts project a shortage of 78,610 full-time RNs in 2025 and 63,720 full-time RNs in 2030. These stats show that keeping skilled nurses must be a priority.
Organizations must invest more time and resources into nursing support to combat this healthcare staffing crisis. An NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing study reveals:
- Nurses who felt backed by their colleagues were nearly twice as likely to want to stay in their jobs compared with those who didn’t feel as supported.
- Those who felt supported by their organization were 2.4 times more likely to say they would stay at their jobs.
This support also reduces turnover rates and recruitment expenses. For example, costs associated with hiring and training can range from $28,400 to $51,700 for a registered nurse (Becker’s Hospital Review).
Valued Nurses Drive a Positive Workplace Culture
Nursing appreciation also creates a workplace culture of mutual respect and support, which reduces stress, boosts motivation, and makes a more productive and enjoyable environment for everyone.
In fact, appreciation has proved to be a powerful tool in healthcare. One study at Mass General Brigham analyzed peer-to-peer feedback. It found that sharing positive feedback, or what went right, is a great way to increase mutual appreciation among healthcare workers and to provide valuable information to leadership about the organization’s culture of teamwork.
Ways to Celebrate National Nurses Week
National Nurses Week, celebrated in May, offers the perfect opportunity to express gratitude for your nursing staff. The ANA revealed its theme: “The Power of Nurses.”
Here are some appreciation ideas to honor this theme and make the week special:
Notes from the heart
Yes, flowers and balloons are sweet ways to thank your nursing staff, but a handwritten note goes a long way. Write personalized notes of appreciation for each nurse. Recognize their contributions and highlight moments where they excelled.
Even the smallest gestures can make a big impact. For example, a social media shout-out is a thoughtful way to say you care.
You can also email or text managers or hospital administrators about a nurse you love working with or a nurse you want to thank. Make sure to include what they specifically did to improve your organization.
Spa days
Gift nurses items like spa kits, gift cards for super comfy shoes and clothes, or self-care boxes. Or you can offer spa-day vouchers to encourage relaxation and stress relief. Many spas provide discounts during National Nurses Week.
Sponsor a meal
Host or sponsor a catered lunch or dinner to get the staff together and celebrate their efforts. Use the time to share stories of gratitude and highlight individual and team achievements.
An appreciation wall
Dedicate a space in your practice or clinic for an “Appreciation Wall” where staff and patients can leave notes of thanks, stories, or compliments about nurses’ selfless work.
The wall can also include information on which companies celebrate National Nurses Week and any freebies they give away. For example:
- Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks offers free coffee
- Chipotle gives away free burritos
- Nike, ASICS, and Lululemon offer discounts
Celebration gifts and a day off
Recognize their hard work with thoughtful gifts like custom scrubs or personalized tote bags engraved with their names. Make these celebrations from the heart, and make sure every nursing staff member (from CNAs to RNs) feels equally valued.
Also consider offering flexible shifts or a paid day off during National Nurses Week to give them what they really need, some rest.
Take Nursing Appreciation Beyond National Nurses Week
While National Nurses Week is a great beginning, nurturing a culture of appreciation is a year-round commitment. Here are some ways you can maintain this initiative:
Extend Recognition Programs
Implement monthly or quarterly recognition programs that celebrate “Nurse of the Month.” You can start by:
- Creating specific criteria or guidelines for selection, including things like exceptional patient care, innovation, or acts of compassion.
- Make voting easy by creating a simple form (electronic or paper).
Foster Wellness Programs
The ANA advises healthcare organizations and providers to offer access to mental health support, mindfulness workshops, gym memberships, and wellness programs to help nurses cope with burnout and improve their self-care skills.
Offer Flexible Scheduling and Eliminate Mandatory Overtime
Give nurses the flexibility to maintain a better work-life balance whenever possible. Stress caused by rigid or relentless schedules is one of the top drivers of burnout.
If possible, try to eliminate mandatory overtime. One study associated overtime with adverse consequences like exhaustion, safety issues, and decreased quality of patient care.
Keep the Support Vibe Ongoing
Encourage frequent check-ins to listen to nurses’ concerns, ideas, or areas where they could use more support. More than 70% of participants in a National Nurse Work Environments Study said that respect from their administration may influence their decision to stay at their jobs.
Create a nurturing environment to improve how nurses feel when they come in the door. For example, during really tough days, try showing support by organizing a meal or hiring a mobile massage therapist to relieve stress on-site.
Provide Paths for Advancement and Retention
Support nurses in their career growth. Offer opportunities for leadership development or cross-training in specialized fields. Give easy access to workshops, conferences, and continuing education programs. The HWE Continuing Education Activities page is a good place to start.
The American Hospital Association offers other paths for retention and advancement, including:
- Offering quarterly, referral, or retention bonuses
- Additional clinical decision-making authority (i.e., involve nurses in any staffing decision in their units)
- Reimbursement for continuing education courses (CEUs)
- More education to help nurses practice at the top of their licenses
- Student loan repayments
Celebrate Milestones
Acknowledge other milestones like work anniversaries, birthdays, or certifications achieved. Nurses are healthcare heroes who deserve more than occasional appreciation; they deserve consistent validation and support.
Now is the time to turn appreciation into action. You don’t have to launch a great big initiative. You can start small. Be consistent. Be thoughtful.
Together, we can elevate how we celebrate these indispensable heroes during National Nurses Week and throughout their careers.
