10 Ways to Show Your Appreciation During Nursing Assistants Week

Nursing Assistants Week is June 18 – June 24, 2020

When healthcare is represented in the media, pop culture, and education, “doctors and nurses” are often the predominant roles that are mentioned and portrayed. However, as anyone who actually works in healthcare knows, there is a much larger array of professionals, all performing unique and specialized tasks, that keep the healthcare industry running smoothly and efficiently. One of the cornerstone roles, combining the hard work of hands-on patient care with critical thinking, solid assessment skills, and excellent organization are nursing assistants.

These professionals serve an incredibly important role in coordinating patient care. They not only assist patients with activities needed to maintain their dignity, comfort, and hygiene, but they serve as the direct link between patients and nurses, getting to know patients well and being able to pick up on subtle changes or client needs and start the chain of action needed to optimize their outcomes. While it may sometimes feel that CNAs are not the most widely recognized role in healthcare, those who work with or have been cared for by CNAs know their importance to be indisputable and those who serve this role should be proud of their contribution to quality, heartfelt healthcare.

It may be surprising to learn that nursing assistants have been around since World War I, when several thousand nurses were deployed under the Red Cross Program to work alongside Army nurses caring for wounded soldiers. The role was recognized as one of bravery and strength and remained for several decades before exploding in popularity when President Ronald Regan passed the Omnibus Reconciliation Act, which set new and improved standards for the training of nurses and quality of care provided in nursing homes.

As healthcare has evolved over the years, so has the role of the CNA. The importance of these professionals, however, has remained steadfast, and the basic art of humanity and caring for others will always remain important. Since 1977, a national day of recognition and appreciation has been observed for CNAs and has expanded to include an entire week of celebration and pride in this ever-needed role.

How Can Administrators and Colleagues Show Their Appreciation?

We encourage hospitals and healthcare facilities to show appreciation for their hard working professionals all year long, but having a week of dedicated focus and celebration can be especially great for morale. Nursing Assistant Appreciation Week instills a sense of pride in those doing often-thankless work and is also just plain fun for those involved. Here are several ways that administrators and colleagues who benefit from the work of their CNA peers can show their appreciation:

Kick off the week with a bang

Set the tone for the entire week by creating a mood of celebration. Decorations, handouts, food, and an itinerary for the events of the next few days builds a sense of excitement and fun among staff. This will also draw the attention of patients and family members who will hopefully join in the show of appreciation and take the time to thank their caregivers for the work they do.

Distribute small gifts that showcase CNA pride

Badges, pens, water bottles, or bags all can be easily customized with the CNA title or a message about “CNA Love” or “CNA Pride.” The level of dedication required to do this job well means that the role is often part of a person’s identity and they would be proud to use everyday gear toting their profession.

Cater a meal or snack for each shift

One well-known truth of all nurses is that they love food! In a profession where shifts are often so busy that meals are eaten cold, standing up, or skipped altogether, it is the ultimate show of appreciation to be given the opportunity to eat good (and hot!) food with your colleagues for free. An entire meal like pizza or taco bar can be provided for each shift, and then perhaps a smaller snack or treat like ice cream can be served later in the week. One of the great parts about free food is it benefits professionals in other roles as well, encouraging doctors and nurses to show appreciation and thank their fellow CNAs while they enjoy a hot lunch.

Feature individuals

While food and gifts are nice, what really shows appreciation and motivates people to be the best they can at their jobs, is individual recognition. Facilities should choose a few team members each day to feature on social media or in newsletters, bulletin boards, or announcements. Showing off a picture, professional biography, and unique personal facts creates a sense of value and appreciation of individuality. It is also a great way for others to get to know their colleagues on a new level and see that being a CNA is just part of their identity. Every CNA for the department should be recognized at some point throughout the week.

Share praise and testimonials from patients and peers

Whether it is a compliment from a patient satisfaction survey commending high quality care, or a quick word of thanks from a coworker who appreciated the help they received on a busy shift, people like to hear when they have made a positive impact. Sharing these words of praise either privately or in a public fashion will remind hardworking CNAs why they do the work they do and provide motivation to continue giving top notch care.

How Can Family and Friends Show Their Appreciation?

For anyone who doesn’t work in the healthcare setting or have the influence to pull off a department-wide celebration, there are still many ways you can express your appreciation and admiration of the CNAs in your life. You may have a spouse, a friend, or a family member who is a hard-working CNA and you are looking for a way to celebrate them and encourage them to feel proud of their chosen career.

Take them out for a celebratory dinner

Just as you would for a birthday, graduation, or new job, make a point of recognizing the achievement and take them out to dinner at a favorite restaurant or cook a favorite meal at home. Just knowing that you see and respect the hard work they put into their career will mean a lot.

Go for a spa day or pedicure together

Being a CNA is a physically demanding job. There are many days your loved one may have sore muscles or aching feet at the end of a long shift. Going with them for a day of pampering, with a pedicure, massage, or treatment of their choice will not only make them feel appreciated but will leave them feeling refreshed and rested and ready to take on the next shift.

Invest in some high quality shoes for them

CNAs spend 90% of their time on their feet and the right shoes set the stage for the overall comfort and health of their feet, legs, and back. Research brands of shoes specifically for nurses or give a new pair of their old favorites to make sure their feet and back are given the same level of care they are providing to their patients every day.

Give a social media shout out

A little bit of public recognition is a kind gesture that may leave your CNA feeling loved all day as others take the time to comment or express their own appreciation. Some people may not even realize what your loved one does for a living and would love to learn more about their chosen career path. This is a quick and free gesture that has the potential to make a big impact in showing you are proud of them.

Write a thank note or card

Taking the time to write a heartfelt note is an easy act of kindness that can really make a CNA feel appreciated. You can do this for your own friends or family who are CNAs, but if you or a loved one have received care from a CNA recently, consider writing them a thank you, too. The tasks they perform really are “all in a day’s work” to them, but sometimes it is nice to hear the positive ways that their compassion has impacted others and is a good reminder as to why they chose this career in the first place.

No matter your relation to them, take the time to consider the CNAs in your life this year during CNA week and make your appreciation and admiration known. It is a hard job that sometimes goes unseen, but it is integral to the dignity and compassionate care of patients everywhere. The people who choose this career deserve our thanks and recognition all year long, but this week provides a special opportunity to make them feel loved, appreciated, and proud. And if you are reading this and YOU are a nursing assistant, know that we are sending a big THANK YOU your way, this week and always.