With the ability to find a vein, provide a caring gesture of fluffing pillows, and itching a spot that can’t be reached. Nurses are asked to do simple and complex tasks many times a day while working long hours and receiving little recognition.
“As I look back, from my upbringing in my home until now, this was part of the missional work that the Lord wants me to do,” said Charlotte Wyckoff, president of Baptist Nursing Fellowship, an organization that empowers, educates and encourages “nurses and medical workers to fulfill Christ’s mission through healing skills.”
With Nurses Appreciation Week May 6–12, Wyckoff is encouraging individuals, families, Sunday School or Bible study groups to find ways to recognize nurses.
BNF May activities:
- Nurses Appreciation week: May 6–12; theme: The Power of Nurses
- Prayer Experience: May 7; What is your super power? Speakers: Leah Brown, Sharon McClung, and Barbara Goodman.
- Page Turner: May 12; Marilyn Graves, BNF executive director, will lead the discussion of “The Frozen River” by Ariel Lawhon.
- Continuing Education webinar: May 14; “Nourishing Your Soul as You Lead”; Ruth Haley Barton; Libby Mahaffey, BNF president-elect; and Janet Harris, former CNO and interim CEO of University of MS Medical Center Health System. Moderator will be Kaye Bender, BNF education team lead.
The online prayer, page turner and continuing education events are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. EST, 6:30 p.m. CST and available to members. For more information, go to baptistnursingfellowship.org/membership. You do not have to be a member to help the organization recognize local nurses. You can partner with local BNF members or work within your community to do similar activities. Contact bnfexec@gmail.com.
BNF also is planning its national meeting for Oct. 16–18 in Huntsville. Visit baptistnursingfellowship.com.
10 ways to encourage nurses in your church and community
As a WMU leader or a leader in your church, there are many ways to encourage and empower student nurses as well as staff nurses during Nurses Appreciation Week and throughout the year.
1. Adopt a state nursing program.
2. Adopt a student and provide support and mentoring throughout the year.
3. Provide financial assistance for tuition books or professional development when possible. Provide gift cards and small scholarships or stipends
4. Prepare goody bags of snacks and small treats for the students during the week of final exams. Goodie bags can be given at any time of the year. The following are suggestions to include: bottle of water, trail mix (no nuts), chocolate candy bar, hard peppermint candy, bag of popcorn, packages of cheese and crackers, apple, breakfast bar, facial tissue.
5. Express gratitude for their hard work and dedication by writing encouraging notes and praying for each student.
6. Pray for the student nurses on May 6; celebrate their achievement and milestones.
7. Provide a meal, pizza, cookies, etc. for students during the year. Encourage self-care by promoting healthy habits.
8. Invite a Baptist Nursing Fellowship member to speak to a group of nurses. Pay for BNF student membership.
9. Offer emotional support by listening to their concerns and providing encouragement during stressful times. Respect their needs for rest and recovery especially after long shifts or intense studies.
10. Provide blessing of the hands ceremony at graduation.
