Ways to Thank a Nurse

This Thanksgiving, Thornbury Nursing Services is particularly thankful to all nurses for the care and compassion they provide to their patients. We know that we are not alone in being thankful though and many people in the U.S. have a reason to thank a nurse.  Nursing is and always has been a noble profession that requires compassion, patience, stamina, skill, and devotion to the well-being of their patients.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the contributions of nurses were invaluable. These wonderful and brave women and men who dedicate their lives to caring for others are putting themselves and even their families at significant risk to care and fight for their patients’ health.

We at Thornbury are especially grateful to all our nurses. Especially to every nurse who has helped the county through the most significant health crisis in recent history. At Thanksgiving – and every day, we hope that all the amazing nurses take some time out from their schedule, whether in a hospital or at home to realize that they are so very important and incredibly appreciated. A resounding ‘Thank You’ to all of you!

You may wish to express your gratitude to a nurse this Thanksgiving (or at any time). We have a few ideas that may help you to show a nurse just how valued they are.

If you’re not sure how to show your thanks this year, the Nightingale 2030 Resilience Fund can help. They are a new organization with a mission to celebrate and support nurses worldwide. They are running a #ThankANurse campaign on social media that you can get involved in

#ThankANurse Campaign:

• Make a short video sharing your experience with a nurse who has impacted your life or the lives of a loved one. Or, a simple thank-you video. Post the video to your social media accounts using the hashtag #ThankANurse
• Write a short story sharing your experience with a nurse who has impacted your life or the lives of a loved one. Or a simple thank you. Submit the story, along with the nurse’s name, location, and social media information to thanks@nightingale2030.org

Here are some other easy ways to show your appreciation:

Thank a nurse with a note of gratitude

Looking for a more personalized way of thanking a nurse? A heartfelt thank-you note can go a long way. Ederlyn, a Thornbury Nurse based in NY, remembers a time when a patient gave her a thank you card. It meant the world to her.

Gift vouchers

A gift voucher of any kind is a great way to show your appreciation and remind a nurse that it’s important to take care of themselves too. Some recommendations:

• A spa voucher: give the gift of relaxation! A massage or facial is a perfect pampering session to de-stress after a long, hectic day of work
• A restaurant voucher: take one task off a nurse’s list by offering to pay for dinner

Coffee or Tea

Nurses often work long shifts, including night shifts, so offering to pay for a coffee or tea is a great way to acknowledge the number of hours they put in to care for all of us. They are sure to be thankful for the caffeine hit!

Hand care products

Non-stop handwashing and sanitizing means that nurses’ hands take a hammering. A high-quality, emollient-rich hand cream would be a useful and much-appreciated gift.

Just say it!

Merely uttering the words ‘thank you’ to a nurse will mean more than you know. Do it in person or pick up the phone to let them know how grateful you are for the service they are providing to you and/or a family member, not just today but every day of the year.

From all of us at Thornbury Nursing Services to all of you, we wish you a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!