Our Healthcare Heroes Need Recognition Now!

Sep 13, 2021

So, here we are in wave four of COVID in Ontario. Healthcare professional shortages are getting worse in Canada, well, worldwide. Aging demographic. Strained financial environment. Patients sicker.

Okay, so you may think doom and gloom and regret reading paragraph one, however, I have an idea that might be a glimmer of hope.

First things first though…

I need to say, many don’t know that we have a culture in healthcare of unimaginable spans of control of healthcare leaders (up to 350: 1 manager to staff), so how is that job even possible? How can you see the greatness in your team, round with patients, recognize greatness and address issues promptly? This is an issue I was trying to help fix in hospitals I worked in 15+ years ago. With so many not wanting to get into nursing leadership (who could blame them…they get paid less than a nurse working overtime, and it’s a “can’t win” job much of the time), the situation is getting worse.

Now, I’m not pointing the fingers at healthcare executives. They are in an impossible position, too, with shrinking budgets, their own workload overwhelms, board pressure, and industry advances changing faster than such a large structure can pivot within (the tip of the iceberg of issues really). Casting blame gets us nowhere. In fact, it stops progress. (Here’s one interview with a healthcare leader you may be interested in watching.)

Staff are caught in the middle of it all.

There is good news. One that may give hope, fuel healing, and give glimmers of happiness in such strained times.

Recognition by way of a thank you is the simplest, fastest, and more accessible way to make things even a little better every day.

It takes seconds to say thank you and doesn’t hit the bottom line. And 95% of people say they want it; any healthcare audience I’ve ever spoken for when I’ve asked “how do you want to be appreciated?” a simple thank you has, every time, been their response.

When healthcare staff do not feel appreciated and only ever have more work to do, angry families are frustrated about the care of loved ones, unaddressed incivility, lack of communication, too many strategic projects impacting providers without their feedback, etc., nurses and other healthcare professionals do not feel seen, heard, appreciated or valued. It’s, frankly, dangerous not to address this lack of appreciation.

Many are speaking out about the issues that have existed in healthcare for a long time. The Gritty Nurse Podcast is one of them. You may want to tune in and educate yourself (if this is new to you) or rally together (if you work in this field).

So what are we waiting for? Peers, leaders, patients, families, and community-at-large, take any and every opportunity to thank healthcare professionals. A frontline care career – of any professional designation – is too overwhelming physically, emotionally, and spiritually to not appreciate them. Are you with me?

Want to thank a frontline worker?  Post this image to your social media of choice and tag a healthcare professional or frontline worker you know to say thank you!

For more ideas about thanking our healthcare peeps, check out the resources below:

• The #DearHeroes Global Movement: How You Can Help Healthcare Heroes in 2 Minutes Or Less
• Who To Thank During the Coronavirus Outbreak: Healthcare Providers Is a Great Place to Start
• Why Everyone Should Care About Nurse Burnout: Recognition at the Front Line