DiversityNursing Blog

For many people, Thanksgiving is a day of gathering, slowing down, and sharing gratitude. But for thousands of Nurses, it’s another kind of service day, a time to show up, care deeply, and be present for patients who need them most. Working on Thanksgiving isn’t always easy, but it carries a unique meaning that only Nurses truly understand.

Whether this is your first holiday shift or your fifteenth, here’s a little appreciation, encouragement, and guidance to help you make the most of the day.

🧡 Remember the “Why” Behind the Work

While the rest of the world settles into celebration, you’re providing stability, safety, and comfort to people who may be spending the holiday in a hospital bed. That’s no small thing.

Many patients feel vulnerable or lonely this time of year, and your presence can help them feel less alone. Even the smallest acts, a warm blanket, an extra moment of listening, a genuine smile, can mean more than you realize.

Sometimes, the most meaningful gratitude comes from the quiet moments no one else sees.

🦃 Bring the Spirit of Thanksgiving to Work

Even on shift, there are ways to honor the holiday:

• Start the day with a gratitude intention

• Share a festive treat or potluck dish with your team

• Write small thank-you notes to coworkers

• Add a subtle autumn touch to the unit (per facility rules!)

• Share a moment of reflection during handoff

These tiny traditions help the day feel special and they strengthen the bonds that make Nurse teams feel like family.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Stay Connected to Your Loved Ones

If you’re missing a holiday gathering, remember: Thanksgiving can be celebrated anytime.
Try:

• Quick FaceTime calls during break

• Asking family to save you a plate

• Planning a “Thanksgiving redo” on your next day off

• Creating your own tradition; breakfast Thanksgiving, takeout Thanksgiving, cozy movie-night Thanksgiving

Your holiday isn’t lost, just postponed.

🫶Take Care of Yourself During the Shift

Holiday shifts can be mentally and emotionally heavy. Make space for yourself, too.

• Eat a real meal, even if it’s not turkey

• Drink water and something fall flavored

• Take a few grounding breaths between patient rooms

• Step outside for 2 minutes of fresh air

• Give yourself permission to feel whatever comes up; gratitude, exhaustion, pride, or even frustration

You’re human, and Nursing on a holiday is hard work.

🌟 Celebrate the Impact You’re Making

Working on Thanksgiving is a sacrifice, but it’s also a gift.
A gift of service.
A gift of compassion.
A gift of presence.

While many people give thanks around a table, you’re giving thanks through action; supporting patients and families who are facing some of their toughest moments.

Please know this: You are seen. You are appreciated. And your work matters deeply. We are thankful for YOU.

Thanksgiving may look different for Nurses, but its heart remains the same: gratitude, connection, and caring for one another.

If you’re working this holiday, thank you for being the steady, skilled, compassionate presence your patients rely on.

You make a profound difference, not just on Thanksgiving, but every single day.

As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us start to reflect on the things we’re grateful for, family, friends, and the comfort of a warm meal after a long shift. But as Nurses, gratitude can mean something even deeper. It’s not just a seasonal feeling, it’s a mindset that helps sustain us through the challenges and rewards of our work.

Gratitude in Nursing

Nursing is a profession of giving, of time, energy, compassion, and care. Every shift brings new challenges, and sometimes it feels like the gratitude we offer to others doesn’t always circle back to us. Yet, if we take a closer look, we can often find moments of thankfulness woven throughout our days: a patient’s heartfelt “thank you,” a teammate stepping in to help, or the quiet pride of knowing we made a difference, even in a small way.

Those moments matter. They’re reminders that our work has meaning, and that the care we give truly touches lives.

The Healing Power of Thankfulness

Research shows that practicing gratitude isn’t just good for the soul, it’s good for our health. It can lower stress, boost resilience, and improve our overall well-being. In a profession as demanding as Nursing, that’s something worth holding onto.

When we intentionally pause to recognize what we’re thankful for, we shift our focus from what drains us to what sustains us. Gratitude doesn’t erase the hard days, but it helps us see the beauty that still exists within them.

Simple Ways to Practice Gratitude

This Thanksgiving season, try weaving thankfulness into your routine, both on and off the clock:

• Start your shift with intention: Before you clock in, take a moment to acknowledge something positive, your skills, your team, or the chance to make a difference.

• Share appreciation: A quick “thanks” to a coworker, tech, or CNA can go a long way in lifting spirits and strengthening your team.

• Keep a gratitude collection: Write down one meaningful moment from each shift, big or small, and revisit them when you need a reminder of your impact.

• Give yourself grace: Remember to include yourself in your gratitude. You show up, you care, and that matters.

A Message from One Nurse to Another

This Thanksgiving, I hope you take a moment to recognize the heart, dedication, and resilience you bring to your work every day. Our profession is built on compassion, and when we nurture that same compassion within ourselves, we allow gratitude to heal and renew us.

From one Nurse to another, thank you for all that you do. May your holiday be filled with peace, joy, and the deep sense of purpose that comes from knowing you make a difference.

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, where long hours, demanding schedules, and challenging situations are the norm, it's essential to take a moment to reflect on the things that make the Nursing profession uniquely rewarding. Let's delve into the aspects of the field Nurses are thankful for.

Support Systems

Nurses hold deep gratitude for the unwavering support and love they receive from their families and friends. 

Carol, RN, BSN said, "After practicing 36 years, I appreciate my family that have supported me, gone on without me over weekends and holidays, birthdays, etc. I appreciate how they listened when I came home and vented about a bad day of being short staff or cried due to losing a special patient. I apologize for the times I ruined meals talking medical jargon at the table that doesn’t bother me anymore while I eat. What I guess I am trying to say is thank you for supporting me in my career because I certainly could not have done it without you!"

Patient Success Stories

Experiencing the joy of seeing patients overcome challenges strengthens Nurses' dedication to positively impacting the lives of those under their care.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Josie Dotson, says "My job allows me to attend births and resuscitate 22-to-42-week infants, perform high-risk procedures, develop and manage care plans for NICU patients, and educate and support staff/families along the way. I feel so blessed to have such an amazing job where I make a difference in babies’ lives every day."

Professional Recognition

Nurses greatly appreciate the recognition of their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment, both within the healthcare setting and from the broader community. It is crucial for them to feel valued and appreciated in their workplace, as it fuels their motivation to continue making a difference in the lives of those they care for.

Each year, as part of its National Nurses Week celebration, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital celebrates its Nurses with awards recognizing excellence in critical thinking, commitment to patient teaching, continuing education and outstanding delivery of patient- and family-centered care with compassion and dignity.

Patty Barfield, an Assistant Professor at the Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing, said the most meaningful recognition has come from patients. Recently, Barfield, who is also a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, received an email from a patient she saw 10 years ago. Now 25 and with a family, the man thanked her for how she helped him as a teen. 

“It was the nicest thing ever to know that you made a difference,” she said. 

Patient Connections 

Nurses cherish the profound bonds they form with their patients. These meaningful exchanges create a lasting impact on both the Nurse and the individual receiving care. Nurses consider it an honor to provide solace and guidance during moments of vulnerability.

Jen Tobon, a Lead Clinical Nurse at Johns Hopkins, was nominated for the DAISY Award by the mother of one of her patients. The patient had been in the hospital for some time, on another floor at first, before being transferred to Jen’s unit. In the nomination letter, the patient’s mother wrote that Jen provided wonderful care and went above and beyond to make her son’s birthday extra special. “When we arrived that morning, his doorway was decorated with balloons and a poster that all of the nurses signed with their well wishes. She coordinated with the fourth floor to have a party for him in the conference room and even drew his favorite Bluey characters on the whiteboard.” Thank you, Jen, for making your patient’s special day even more meaningful.

Team Collaboration

Nurses deeply appreciate the sense of camaraderie they experience when collaborating with doctors, therapists, and their fellow nurses. This close working relationship fosters a strong sense of community and shared purpose, which ultimately creates a supportive and uplifting work environment.

Kathleen Lynam, after working as a Nurse for the majority of her life, has now moved away from bedside Nursing into coaching and teaching. She is most grateful for the lessons she learned while working with team members through hurricanes, blizzards, accreditation visits, power failures, and staffing crises.

Lynam has worked alongside some Nurses for more than 40 years. She celebrates these longtime friendships and the courage and perseverance they have shown her. She has a profound gratitude for her profession and all it's given her, like the resilience she witnesses in the people she's worked with most of her life.

"I have become grateful for a profession that has overcome unprecedented adversity," Lynam said. "My prayer for my profession is that we continually learn and support each other."

Advancements in Healthcare 

Nurses appreciate the continuous advancements in medical technology, treatments, and healthcare practices, which have revolutionized patient outcomes and elevated the effectiveness and fulfillment of their roles.

According to research, over 80% of Nurses believe that technology has improved their ability to provide quality care. This allows them to provide better patient care and helps reduce healthcare costs while ensuring everyone gets the best possible treatment. Technology has also enabled Nurses to stay connected as well as with other members of the healthcare team from any location – allowing them to collaborate more efficiently than ever before.

Professional Growth Opportunities 

Nurses are thankful for the countless opportunities to advance their careers within the profession. Whether they are pursuing advanced degrees, specializing in specific fields, or stepping into leadership roles, Nurses appreciate the continuous growth and evolution that comes with their chosen path.

Karrie Brazaski, a Nurse and healthcare Executive with three decades of experience says she owes her increased empathy and compassion to Nursing, along with her ability to climb the ladder from Staff Nurse to Chief Nursing Officer, to Chief Operating Officer, to now business owner and founder of Helping Healthcare Heroes.

Flexible Schedules 

Nurses are grateful for adaptability certain Nursing positions offer, including the availability of different shift options and part-time opportunities. These flexible schedules play a crucial role in fostering a harmonious work-life balance.

In a profession where compassion and care are at the forefront, Nurses find fulfillment in a myriad of aspects. This Thanksgiving, let's express gratitude for the remarkable individuals who dedicate their lives to the well-being of others—our Nurses.