By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
Nurses Appreciation Week is an important reminder to show gratitude to nursing staff for all they do.
As leaders, we have two powerful leadership tools: gratitude and appreciation. What is so interesting about gratitude is that while you make others feel good, Harvard research has found that thanking others will also make you happier. In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. In a 2022 AONL workforce compendium, 55% of nurse managers reported that giving awards and recognition was among the top five tasks that brought them joy. Hence, there is also a strong business case for nurse manager retention.
Recognition programs are a crucial but often overlooked part of staff health and well-being. A recent report that was a joint effort of Laudio and the American Organization of Nurse Leaders showed that nurse managers with consistent, purposeful interactions (e.g., check-ins, recognition) with their team members have statistically significantly lower registered nurse (RN) turnover. In a team with average turnover, one purposeful interaction per month per RN drives a seven-percentage-point improvement in the team’s overall annual RN turnover rate. This is also consistent with Gallup’s research findings.
We are living with complex challenges right now in nursing. Peter Drucker, whom many consider one of the most outstanding thought leaders on management, observed that leaders interpret reality even in the most challenging circumstances. At the same time, he believed that a leader is responsible for keeping hope alive and focusing on what works well. So this week, focus on the great work that individual nurses are doing and, most importantly, tell them. Great nursing leaders know that it is vital to appreciate nurses for what they do and praise them for their work. I published a blog where a CNO went incognito as a traveler and was struck by the lack of appreciation that he observed. It is a powerful reminder that nurses work very hard and need recognition.
Take the time to send a note or email of appreciation to each of your nurses, telling them how they are contributing to the unit. Be sure to make it personal. People will never really know the positive impact that they have unless you tell them. Noticing what staff do is powerful and will help staff feel like they matter. Likewise, if someone does something to brighten your day, let them know with a simple “thank you. You made my day.“
Create some magic moments for your staff this week. In their work, The Power Of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact, authors Chip and Dan Heath explore why specific brief experiences can jolt, elevate, and change us—and how we can learn to create extraordinary moments in life and work. These moments build pride and connection. Do something unexpected this week – come in during the night with small gifts or food for your night shift. Join other nurse managers and send your CNO flowers or a small gift – their job is hard, and they rarely get thanked for their work.
Recognition is a way of investing in both ourselves and others. So, commit to leading with gratitude this week and thank those who make a difference. Thank you all for being leaders, for all that you do in your work, and for reading this blog.
© emergingrnleader.com 2025
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