2020 was a tough year for everyone, more so for healthcare workers. While the rest of us are urged to stay at home and avoid big crowds, healthcare workers have to face the pandemic head-on. Day in and day out, doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff have to make sure that every sick patient is being cared for. If you have been on the receiving end of this care, then you’ve probably already realized how much hard work, patience, and compassion are necessary to pull off such a job.
Despite the risk of Coronavirus exposure, these dedicated professionals choose to prioritize the health and safety of their patients. Their hard work and dedication truly deserve commendation. Thus, expressing your gratitude and appreciation for hardworking healthcare workers is just one simple way to acknowledge all the work that they do for people who are fighting for their lives amidst the pandemic. Showing your appreciation may help lessen their stress, anxiety, and frustration after a long day of hospital duty.
Here’s how you can make your favorite healthcare worker feel appreciated:
- Leave A Simple “Thank You” Note For Them
You don’t have to do something grand just to show your appreciation for a healthcare worker who’s been dear to you. A personal “Thank You” note could mean a lot to them. You can leave these notes right after being discharged from the hospital. Even if you are not confined, you can send notes or cards to the hospital or clinic that they work in or online as well.
If you want to make it more special, you can include a short personal message on your note. You may also include a small token as a gift of appreciation, like a keychain, mug, pin, or knitted and crafted trinkets. Small gifts are encouraged, as most hospitals put a limit to the size or number of stuff that can be received and stored by their staff.
- Pick Out A New Medical Scrub For Them
A medical scrub can also be a nice appreciation gift. Many healthcare workers don’t have the time to shop for new scrubs, especially with a very busy schedule at the hospital. So why not help them pick out a new and comfortable scrub as a unique appreciation gift?
A good medical scrub is made from quality fabric capable of withstanding grueling work hours that healthcare workers face each day. Keep in mind that you should choose one that fits properly with the healthcare worker who will receive your gift. It should not be too loose or too tight for him/her. If you prefer to shop online, you may use the size chart provided by online stores to order the appropriate size.
A good medical scrub must be made with enough room that allows nurses and medical workers to move freely and comfortably, especially when they need to deal with emergencies and move from one station to another in the hospital.
If you want to give a special medical scrub for your favorite healthcare worker, you might want to shop for scrubs that are created not just for medical duty but are made to fit a certain lifestyle or personality as well. For example, if you know that your favorite nurse does stretches and some walking exercises after shifts, then you might want to get him or her a type of scrub pants that could do well as joggers too. Yes, there is such a thing—in fact, online shops that offer healthcare clothing such as KESWI has this kind of medical scrub available on their website.
- Surprise Them With Good Food
It is well-known that healthcare workers have to endure long hours of duty at the hospital. Taking care of patients is a round-the-clock obligation, and more often than not, healthcare workers don’t have the time to sit down and enjoy a nice meal nor even plan a good one. Hence, sending them food is a great way to make them feel appreciated.
Before you decide to do this, inquire to the hospital or clinic first if they accept food deliveries. Due to strict health protocols in most areas, some hospitals might not accept homemade food, as there is a risk of contamination.
If you want to show your appreciation to an entire hospital or clinical staff, don’t forget those who are working the night shift. When you deliver the food, allot and label meals for staff from the day and night shifts.
- Give Basic Medical Supplies As A Gift
Hospitals and clinics can quickly run out of basic supplies such as alcohol, disinfectants, gloves, and face masks. This is especially true nowadays when healthcare workers are required to disinfect and change face masks and protective equipment every after few hours.
So, if you want to show your appreciation through a useful gift, you can consider giving your favorite healthcare worker a box of surgical face masks, gloves, or disinfectants. These are the kind of things that they can really use every day. Through your gift, you help your favorite health worker get protected from further COVID-19 risks.
- Follow Health Protocols
Showing your appreciation to a healthcare worker through gifts or notes won’t matter much if you neglect the basic health protocols in your area. Appreciating the hard work and dedication of these health workers means that you should also cooperate and support them in their advocacy as they face the ongoing health crisis head-on.
It’s not that difficult. To follow basic health protocols, all you have to do is wear a face mask and a face shield properly (whenever you go outside), disinfect frequently, and stay at home as much as possible. Doing your part helps lighten the burden that is carried by most of our healthcare workers during the pandemic. Aside from that, it is for your own protection too!
Conclusion
Showing gratitude and appreciation to a favorite healthcare worker does not require grand gestures or expensive gifts. A simple and handwritten thank you note already goes a long way. And if you want to make it extra special, you can add a short message and even include a small token or trinket as an appreciation gift.
Free food is also greatly appreciated, but it is better if you can treat all the staff (from day to night shift) when you do this. Aside from that, inquire to the hospital or clinic first whether or not they accept food deliveries and what protocols they follow for this case.
Giving useful gifts like medical supplies and scrubs is also a great idea. These things help your favorite healthcare worker function comfortably and safely during long shifts. Lastly, your appreciation can be shown by simply following basic health protocols in your area.
Wearing a face mask and staying at home as much as possible shows that you appreciate the hard work and responsibility that was placed on the shoulders of the healthcare workers during this pandemic, and that you are doing your part to somehow lighten that load.
