Start with a simple ‘thank-you’ and a smile!

Nurses and healthcare workers play a crucial role in the healthcare system, and their importance cannot be overstated. Their contributions are critical to ensuring that patients receive the best possible care. From being the happy faces that welcome clients to being support systems and educators of health-related issues, they’re the people and the spirit that keeps the healthcare system and clients' morale up and running. The number of hours that a healthcare worker or nurse works can vary depending on their role, workplace, and employment agreement. However, in general, nurses in Aotearoa work around 37.5 to 40 hours per week at a minimum and usually far longer. This may include a combination of day, evening, night, and weekend shifts. With current challenging circumstances and shortage of nurses and healthcare workers, the pressure on our current workforce only increases.

There are several things that you can do to show appreciation of the work that healthcare workers and nurses do, but the most important one is easily forgotten - you can show your gratitude by simply saying thank you for their hard work and dedication. Expressing gratitude to healthcare workers is important for several reasons, let’s explore a few of them:

Recognition of their hard work and sacrifices: As mentioned above, healthcare workers often work long hours, sacrifice their personal time and risk their own health to care for others. Saying thank you is a way to recognize and appreciate their dedication and hard work.

Boost morale: When healthcare workers feel appreciated, it boosts their morale and motivation to continue providing care with enthusiasm and dedication.

Show support: Saying thank you shows that we support and stand by them in their efforts to provide essential services, particularly during challenging times like pandemics or in other health crises.

Encourage others to do the same: Expressing gratitude can encourage others to do the same, creating a culture of appreciation and support for those who work in healthcare.

Promote mental wellbeing: Expressing gratitude has been shown to have a positive impact on mental wellbeing, both for the person expressing gratitude and the person receiving it. In this case, saying thank you to healthcare workers can help counter the sense of stress and burnout, and promote a sense of purpose and satisfaction in their work.

So, let’s all make that tiny change and join in the movement that appreciates, thanks and acknowledges all the work our that healthcare workers put in 😀

P.S. You can also show your support by following public health guidelines and taking steps to prevent the spread of illnesses, such as getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, and practicing good hygiene. This helps to reduce the workload of healthcare workers and protect their health and safety!

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