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National Nurses Week runs from May 6-12 and is a time to celebrate nurses and the work they do every day.
During the week, many restaurants and stores hold special deals for nurses.
May 12, the last day of National Nurses Week, is the birthday of Florence Nightingale, a historically influential nurse, who was born in 1820.
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Nightingale was an inspirational nurse during the Crimean War, and is known to have founded modern nursing.
National Nurses Week is sponsored by the American Nurses Association. There are over five million registered nurses in America, according to the source, to celebrate during the week.
This year’s theme for National Nurses Week is “Nurses Make the Difference.” (iStock)
There is also a theme chosen each year by the American Nurses Association. The 2024 theme is “Nurses Make the Difference.”
There are numerous ways to celebrate nurses during Nurses Week.
Whether the professional caregiver in your life is a friend, family member, someone who provides care to you or your child, or someone who has done so in the past, here are nine simple ways to say “thank you” to the nurse in your life.
Write a thank-you cardSend flowersShow your appreciation with a gift cardMake a self-care basketHost a partyMake a gift basket filled with useful nurse-related itemsTake the person out for a nice eveningGo on a coffee runBe a promoter of National Nurses Week
1. Write a thank-you card
It’s rare to receive a thank-you card these days.
Writing one for the nurse in your life makes it even more special to receive. Thank-you cards are an easy way to show someone your gratitude and take little time.
Write a short message and show the nurses you love and look up to how much you appreciate the work they do.
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You could even just send a quick text. Sending your words of appreciation can go a long way.
2. Send flowers
Your nursing friends, family members or caregivers are going to love receiving flowers during Nurses Week.
Include a customized message, which is sure to put a smile on the person’s face.
Everyone loves receiving a beautiful flower bouquet. Why not send one to a nurse in your family, or one that has cared for you? (iStock)
Spring is an ideal time for a flower delivery and Nurses Week just happens to fall at the same time.
Flowers are fresh and blooming beautifully.
3. Show your appreciation with a gift card
Gift cards for restaurants make a great gift for nurses. They can use them to grab a quick bite on their way to work or during their shift.
With the hustle and bustle (and the stress) of a nurse’s workload, packing a lunch or grabbing something to eat for breakfast can often be forgotten.
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The next time they run out of the house without food for their shift, your gift card will surely save the day.
4. Make a self-care basket
The nursing profession can be one with long hours and stressful situations. What better way to manage stress than with items from a self-care basket?
Consider putting together a small self-care basket for your favorite nurse for Nurses Week.
A few items to include are small candles, face masks, lotions, a self-help book and an eye mask.
5. Host a party
If you are a nurse, throw a party with your co-workers in celebration of each nurse.
This is a great way to step away from work and do something fun together as a team.
If you’re a nurse, host a dinner party with your co-workers to celebrate and bond as a team. (iStock)
Have everyone bring something to the party in order to share the responsibility of food and drink.
6. Make a gift basket filled with useful nursing items
Tumbler cups, snacks, notepads and pens are all practical items that nurses use daily.
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Put together a gift basket filled with practical nurse-related items that are useful to the gift recipient.
Add a personalized touch with the person’s favorite snacks and energy drinks.
7. Take a nursing friend out for a nice evening
Take your nursing friends or family members for a night out.
Plan a nice dinner or attend an event happening in your area.
This is a great way to show your appreciation and also offer the nurse in your life, and yourself, a break from work.
8. Go on a coffee run
If you have someone in your life who is a nurse, consider dropping off a morning coffee in honor of Nurses Week.
Drop off a coffee to a nurse you know in honor of Nurses Week. (iStock)
If you are a nurse, you can purchase coffee for the others on your team.
This will serve as a small token of your appreciation for the work they do each day.
9. Be a promoter of National Nurses Week
There are a lot of people who are unaware of National Nurses Week, so be a promoter of the occasion.
This can be done on social media, by word of mouth or by posting signage in a school building or hospital to educate people on what the week is all about.
Whichever way you choose to promote the week, the caregiver in your life will feel cherished and honored.
For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.
Ashlyn Messier is a writer for Fox News Digital.
