Thestress associated with thenursing profession has been well documented . A 2022 studypublished in thejournal BMC Nursingfound that jobstress not only has an adverseeffectonnurses ’ health , but also mayreduceperformance andquality of care , potentially affecting the outcome of patients . Thatreality underscoresthe importance of letting nursesknow how much they ’ reappreciated .
Communityleaderscan consider these ideas as they look for ways to honor local nurses .
• RECOGNIZE NURSES ATPUBLIC EVENTS . Parades , highschool sporting events , holiday tree lighting ceremonies ,
CELEBRATE NURSES Nurses serve in a variety of roles
Nurses are invaluable professionals within the medical community . Whether they work in hospital settings , nursinghomes , assisted living facilities , doctor ’ soffices , or elsewhere , nurses provide vital services to individuals in need every day .
Nurses wearmany hats , and that ’ s evidencedbythe different types of nurses making adifferenceeachday . Individualsconsideringacareerinnursingshouldknowthattalentednursesare in high demandand career opportunities in thefieldare expected to grow . Forexample , theU . S . BureauofLabor Statistics estimatesthatemploymentof registered nurses will grow by 6percent between2022and 2032 . Thatgrowth rate exceeds the averageexpectedrate forall occupations . Togain agreater understanding of the many waysnurses contribute each day , this rundown of the varioustypesof nursescan shed light on theseunsung heroesofthe medical community .
• PEDIATRIC NURSE : Pediatricnurses make astrongimpressionbecausethey are the first nursing professionals many people recallinteractingwith , andthose interactionsmaylastfrom early childhood through adolescence . Pediatric nurses perform a range of tasks , includingthe administration of medication ; monitoringvitalslike temperatureand bloodpressure ; healthevaluations to identifysymptoms ; and even speakwith parentstocalm anynervesoranxieties they mayhave . Pediatricnurses typically work in doctor ’ s offices or hospital settings .
• GERIATRIC NURSE : Geriatricnurses figure to be in especially high demand in thecomingyears , asananalysisfrom theBipartisanPolicyCenterindicates morethan fourmillion individuals inthe United States will turn 65 in 2024 . AARP has characterized thatsurge in the over- 65 population as a “ silver tsunami ,” and geriatric nurses will play pivotal rolesin ensuringtheagingpopulation getsthe
How Communities Can Honor Local Nurses
andother community-centricevents draw large crowds . That makes these events theperfecttime tohonor local nursesand emphasizeall theworktheydotohelp theirneighbors . Ask alocal nurse or two to serve as grand marshal ( s ) in a holiday parade and / or letlocal nurses flip the switch at a tree lighting ceremony .
• SUPPORT ANURSING CHARITY . A community-wide campaign to support acharity that benefits nurses or causes importanttonursescan be agreat way to thank them for all they do . Various domestic and international organizations arelinked to thenursing profession . Prior to introducingacampaign , community care it needs inthe decades to come .
• FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER : TheAmericanAssociation of Nurse Practitionersnotes family nursepractitioners ( FNPs ) provideawiderange of family-focused health care services to patients of all ages . FNPs perform physicalexams ; order or performdiagnostic tests ; prescribemedications ; develop treatmentplans ; and treatacute and chronicillnesses . Ifthatsoundslikea role played by physicians , it ’ s not far off , making this among the most challenging jobs within thenursing profession .
• EMERGENCY ROOM NURSE : Individualswho thinkafast-paced work environment isforthem maywantto consider acareerasanemergencyroom nurse . ER nurses treatpatientsofall ages from allwalks of life . Notwo emergencyroompatientsare thesame , so ER nurses will rarely , ifever , have thesame dayon the jobmorethan once . Accurate assessmentskills arevital forERnurses , whoalsomustbeskilled communicators , asERpatientsareoften indistress .
Nursing is anexpansive profession with opportunities foraspiringprofessionalswho want to work inthemedical community .
leaderscan speakwithlocal nurses to see ifthere isany specific charity orcause importanttothem .
• EMBRACE PUBLIC HEALTH EFFORTS . One ofthe most effective ways tohonor local nurses istotakealittle off their professionalplate . Community leaders can urge residentstogettheirannual flu shots and update other vaccinations in anefforttokeep hospital admissions low , whichinturn makesnurses ’ jobs easier .
Nurses areworthyofpraise . Communitiescan do much to show these invaluable health care professionals how much their effortsand sacrificesare appreciated .
— METRO CREATIVE
10 SPRING 2024 | THE RECORD HEALTH QUARTERLY | PREPARED BY THE ADVERTISING DEPT .