15 Ways to Support a Nurse During COVID-19
Nurses and other healthcare professionals have it hard. As challenging as managing daily life is, they have to do it on top of caring for patients and risking burnout during the pandemic every day. Here are some ways you can show a nurse in your life that you care.
1. Thank Them
Whenever you visit a health care facility, thank the professionals who take care of you. They put their health at risk to make sure others stay well. A small “thank you” could go a long way to improve someone’s day.
2. Provide Child Care
Many nurses are parents, so they have caregiving responsibilities beyond just caring for patients. Child care costs about $9,200 to $9,600 annually in the U.S., so many nurses may find their resources lacking. If you have free time, offer to watch their kids.
3. Offer Financial Support
With certain forms of assistance running out, like a pause on student loan repayment, nurses may soon find themselves in a sea of financial obligations. You can make a difference by taking care of a bill for them.
4. Run Errands for Them
When nurses aren’t working, they’re often completing chores or taking much-needed rest. If they have simple errands to run that could take time away from their leisure or de-stressing period, offer to help out.
5. Donate PPE
Consider donating personal protective equipment (PPE) to your local hospital. While vaccinated people feel more comfortable not wearing their masks everywhere, hospitals still require PPE to keep their workers safe. Donating equipment like this can help health care facilities stay within budget.
6. Gift Them Vouchers
If you have gift cards or vouchers for what some consider luxury experiences, consider giving them to a nurse. When stress levels are through the roof, opting for some time away might be just the thing to help your loved ones in nursing avoid burnout.
7. Make Them a Meal
Nurses often don’t have the chance to cook when they get home from an exhausting shift, so offer to make a nice meal for them. In addition to lowering the risk of heart disease and other chronic ailments, having the right nutrition can help clear your head of brain fog and even supplement your mood, which could be just the thing necessary for a nurse you love.
8. Walk Their Dog
Nurses with hyperactive dogs might need someone to help them with walking. Walking a dog for someone helps you stay active and provides you with bonding time with an animal while knowing you’re taking responsibility off a hardworking nurse’s shoulders.
9. Connect With Them
While nurses may not go out as often as other people, they still need social time. Consider using virtual video options to stay connected when you can’t physically meet. Spending time with loved ones can help nurses feel closer to their family and friends.
10. Donate Blood
An excellent opportunity to help your medical community is to donate blood. Also, if you don’t know your blood type, this can be a perfect way to find out.
11. Gather Cleaning Supplies
You can donate cleaning supplies you find in your local grocery store. Having ample cleaners can help speed up janitorial processes, meaning hospitals can bring in more patients promptly.
12. Order Them Food
If you want to show your local hospital or doctor’s office how appreciative you are, order them something nice. Offer to provide lunch one day by getting a pizza or some other form of take-out. Your contribution could be just the thing to brighten their day.
13. Stay at Home or Travel Safely
The best thing you can do to slow the spread of COVID-19 and not overwhelm your local hospital is to follow the advice given by professionals in your area. Whether you need to get vaccinated or continue to wear masks, follow the protective protocols outlined in your county.
14. Be Empathetic
Understand that health care professionals are going through a lot right now. They’ve likely seen the loss of numerous patients and have a lot weighing on them. Offering them a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on can make a difference in a nurse’s life.
15. Send a Thank-You Letter
Friendly letters can help nurses feel appreciated. The signs and letters don’t have to last forever and can be recycled after a while, but they help nurses have a tangible place where they can recall how important they are.
Above all, showing nurses how much you appreciate them boils down to having empathy and expressing gratitude. They’ve spent nearly two years dealing with the pandemic, and they deserve a break. You can be just the person to light up their lives.
About the Author
Mia is a health and wellness writer and the Editor In Chief at Body + Mind. She specifically enjoys writing about women’s fitness, as well as mental health-related topics. When she’s not writing, Mia can usually be found reading poetry, taking a dance or cardio class, or hiking.
