The Common Denominator Of Amazing Nurses!

We all know that one week out of the year nurses get praised for all of their hard work that they put forth on a daily basis! We also all can agree that it shouldn’t just be one week a year! I hear you loud and clear on that one! However, I do think it is pretty cool when hospitals hold award ceremonies and fun events to recognize nurses who have made a difference in their work place with their fellow employees and their patients. I know that they truly could not have that kind of extravaganza every week, but I bet if nurses were praised and thanked well on a weekly basis, retention scores would go way up and so would Patient Satisfaction! Happy Nurses = Happy patients!

Buttttt…I digress. Let me get back to why I am writing today….

The Common Denominator

Nurses week can be really awesome because organizations will recognize the nurses who have gone above and beyond in their care! This year, my hospital held a Nurse Excellence Ceremony and praised a few individuals in a big way! As I looked around the room at the recipients, there were many reasons why each of them were receiving such a prestigious award. Some were incredibly smart, and a huge resource for their unit. Some had been amazing preceptors for the new intern nurses. And some had simply just been extremely loyal and dependable employees, who truly were an amazing asset to the organization for what they do both in and out of the hospital! There was however, one big common denominator amongst them all….and that was an AMAZING ATTITUDE!

THESE are the nurses that would never grumble about the heavy load thrown their way.

THESE are the nurses who were always willing to lend a hand, no matter how hard their personal assignment was.

THESE are the nurses that never have a negative attitude when giving or receiving report.

THESE are the nurses that when you come onto a shift and find you’re giving report to them, you know they are going to pick up where you left off, and understand if you had a rough shift.

THESE are the nurses that you want to be working alongside every single day!

Postivity Shines!

When these awards were passed out, there was no specific touching story that was told about them. They were simply recognized because they are positive people with big hearts for others! They are always willing to help! They are always talking positively! They are always making the day easier for others to endure! It’s as simple as that! People with positive attitudes stand out!

Self Reflection and Evaluation

This Nurses Week, I want you to truly check yourself and evaluate how you are doing both on the floor and outside of work. In what ways can you make yourself better in a whole? Can you take care of your health better? Can you cut out relationships that might be bringing you down? Can you get plugged into a meet up in your community or a small group at church, and surround yourself with happy, motivated people? Many don’t realize how our personal choices and the people we surround ourselves with in life can affect our attitudes!

We all have the ability to choose to live a positive life! We are in charge of the words that come out of our mouths. We are in charge of how we respond to others. WE CHOOSE OUR ATTITUDES! Even on my worst of days, I still don’t treat others negatively. It makes life harder if I do!

The Time Is Now

I know it’s not New Years, but it doesn’t need to be a New Year to make a resolution. I want to encourage any of the nurses out there who feel that they might be struggling with carrying a negative attitude more often than not, to really check yourself. Talk to anyone who has decided to live a healthier lifestyle or cut out negative relationships in their life. They will tell you how it has CHANGED THEIR LIFE!

Start being the nurse AND co-worker that you would want to work alongside! We all have areas that we can better ourselves in! I promise that your efforts will NOT go unnoticed!

Your Heart Is Mine,

Kelsey