I think the nurses I work with are really awesome.
They have a really hard job. I think every single one of the nurses I work with does a really great job and is incredibly kind and considerate.
So here's my dilemma....
Nurses week is coming up and I don't know what to do.
In an ideal world, I'd get every nurse I work with a nice present or little gift bag and that would be enough. However, I work with a LOT of nurses. There are probably eight or nine regulars, then a few more nurse supervisors, then a bunch of nurses' aides that I also wouldn't want to leave out. And then there are nurses that don't usually work with me but sometimes do. All told, this could be thirty people. And I suspect if I do individual gifts, no matter how hard I try, I'm going to leave somebody out. And as somebody who has gotten left out in these situations, I know that's the worst possible thing.
Another dilemma is that each nurse only does three shifts per week. So if I, say, bring in bagels or pizza one day, only half the nurses will get to partake.
In the past, I've bought two big cakes and done it two days in a row on days that as many of our regular nurses are around as possible. I guess I could do that again. I don't know... I just want to make sure I'm appreciating the nurses enough. Because they deserve it.
Big box of candy from a local chocolate shop (like Valentine's Day assorted chocolates) with a card. The candy will last until it's eaten without getting stale.
ReplyDeleteI like this idea.
DeleteNo matter how big a box you get, the last of the desirable candy will be eaten at exactly 6:45 pm on the first day, because the immutable rule of food presents is that there is never anything left for night shift. By the time shift change happens, your boxes will contain nothing but half-eaten maraschino cherries and a couple of those horrible pink nougat things.
DeleteGo to Costco. Buy some of those miniature mixed chocolate bags. Buy some smaller lolly gift bags (you can get plain cellophane ones at a dollar store for probably a dollar) and make up individual gift bags so that everyone gets one. They do not have to have a lot of chocolates in there, it is the thought that counts. I usually try to include a couple of nice tea bags as well or those coffee sachets people like. I used to do this at my workplace for 30 and sometimes up to 50 people and it never cost me too much but everyone loved it. And you can make the bags slightly larger for the regulars vs those the aides vs the supervisors. :)
ReplyDeleteSo what do you put in them? I'm scared it will cost a fortune for something that looks flimsy if I'm spreading it out over 30 bags.
DeleteSomething like this - https://www.walmart.com/ip/Clear-Cello-Bags-30pk/35760942 :)
DeleteThe way big corporate medicine (where I work) handles nurses day and the dilemma you mention is to ignore it. Instead, there's an associate day once a year where they celebrate everyone. Because you know, we are all the same....
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your thoughtfulness. And I'll be recognizing the nurses I work with on my own.
Stock the nurses fridge with various snacks and beverages at the beginning of the week. Think Sargento snack wells, fresh fruit, yogurts, cheese sticks, minimuffins, baby carrots , starbcuks prepackaged frappachinos, diet coke, gatoraid, etc. That will stay good for the week.Decorate and Hang a sign saying thanks for all you do on the fridge have all the drs sign it.
ReplyDeleteNurses' week should be celebrated. But did you know it's lab week next week? Nurses' week is really well known and administration celebrates it and even funds the celebration. Lab week is pretty much ignored. Most hospital labs have to fund their own lab week celebration if they want anything to happen. You would really make the lab's day if you even just left a bowl of candy in their break room with a note saying you appreciate them. Seriously. It means the world to us to get a little recognition from anyone else on staff.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up but we don't have a lab.... we send out our blood work.
DeleteWell, never mind my mini-crusade then! I try to advocate for other lab rats whenever I can and let people know our field exists. We're pretty much all introverts, so we tend to fade into the background...
DeleteAre you part of a group practice? Because we usually pool our funds and buy them something nice and permanently useful (like one year we got an espresso maker).
ReplyDeletecash please!
ReplyDeleteSnacks are always a good idea. Have you looked on Pinterest at all? Anything you do for National Nurses Week will be appreciated by your staff. We usually plan a full week of food and treats at our hospital. It's great to see people celebrating nurses and everything they do. Good luck!
ReplyDelete