National Nurse Practitioner (NP) Week, celebrated November 13-19, is an annual celebration recognizing the incredible contributions of NP professionals. This year, the theme for NP Week is “Rising to Meet the Needs of Patients.” More than 355,000 NPs are licensed to practice in the United States and continuously bring vital solutions to patients in all community settings. (AANP).
Read on for a few ideas and tips for appreciating nurse practitioners and shining a light on their many contributions this week!
Social Media #NPWeek: NPs have a passionate community of colleagues on social media. Join in on the fun, post a thank you message, or share an amazing story! Don’t forget to tag your NP colleagues and include the #NPWeek hashtag to reach millions of people celebrating.
Say Thank You: Start small; the best place to begin is by simply saying Thank You! Let your NPs know that their work, dedication, and expertise are appreciated. A simple card with words of gratitude will go a long way and make your NPs feel valued. You can make a selection of cards available for staff and others to write notes of thanks, too!
Gift Cards: Everyone loves gift cards! Pick their favorite restaurant, coffee shop, or spa. This is a thoughtful gift for any budget that will be sure to make their day.
Team SWAG: Order new NP team SWAG. Get their size and place an order for North Face fleece jacket full zips, L.L.Bean quilted sweatshirts, or even a Sport-Tek pullover!
Host An Event: Ideas could include organizing a coffee bar with specialty drinks and treats, arranging a potluck and inviting other healthcare staff to make food to share, going offsite for lunch or dinner, renting a couple of food trucks, or setting up a mini field day with fun games and activities! Whatever the event, the point is to make less work for your NPs and show them how much your team appreciates them.
Chair massages: Consider organizing a visit from a licensed massage therapist. Often, the companies that offer this service present different packages that you can fit into a budget. The firm supplies the necessary equipment, and your NPs will leave the chair feeling refreshed. Other ideas include providing a mobile car wash service or dry cleaning drop off and delivery!
