This Women’s History Month, we turn the spotlight on a group of individuals who continuously work hard, advocate for change, drive innovation, and bravely work on the frontlines every day — our incredible women nurses.
Women are at the forefront of the healthcare landscape. According to the US Census, women have driven 80% of the overall growth in healthcare since the turn of the century, accounting for three-quarters of all full-time, year-round healthcare workers in 2019.
Women have come a long way in the world of nursing. It’s an industry that vastly outnumbers men, with more than 80% of workers being women. The nurse gender pay gap is also smaller than in other industries, with women nurses earning 95% of what men earn.
Future generations of nurses will be able to thrive because of the many women nurses throughout history whose inspiring contributions and sacrifices have changed the nursing industry for the better. The women nurses of today stand on the shoulders of those who have provided compassionate care toward patients and challenged norms and stereotypes.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’ve compiled several ways in which healthcare organizations can celebrate and uplift women healthcare professionals.
What healthcare organizations can do to celebrate women in healthcare
Aside from Women’s History Month, International Women’s Day also falls in March. Here are some women’s day celebration ideas that can be done in the office:
Establish women’s mentorship programs
Diversity, equity, and inclusion endeavors such as mentorship programs can allow women nurses to acquire new skills to help them grow their careers, stay up-to-date with new technologies and procedures, and provide better patient care. This is especially crucial for new nurses, who need guidance, educational support, and an intimate work environment to improve their performance.
Donate to a charitable group that benefits women in need
On behalf of their women employees, companies can donate to worthy causes, charitable groups, and nonprofit organizations to celebrate Women’s Month. Organizations can support groups that help educate girls, empower women to achieve economic independence, and even work on addressing female health issues.
Recognize employees’ achievements and contributions
Employees perform better when they feel valued. In fact, according to one study, 93% of employees who feel valued are motivated to do their best work while 88% feel engaged.
And it shouldn’t be all about key performance indicators (KPIs). Healthcare organizations should recognize their employees’ hard work, performance, innovation, and creativity at work via an employee recognition program. After all, a Thomson Reuters study shows that 63% of women say that having their work recognized by superiors is important to them, while 61% of women say that it’s crucial for them to gain the respect of their coworkers.
Be creative
Employers should encourage creative ideas for Women’s Day celebrations in the workplace, including decorating the facility, putting up a gallery of important women in nursing, having a special Women’s Day celebration programme (where they can invite guest speakers or even hold a talent show), and encouraging employees to share their gratitude and appreciation for fellow women nurses on social media. They can also give thoughtful gifts for women nurses, such as back and neck massagers, comfortable shoes, and cozy fleece sweaters.
Healthcare organizations can even give out gift cards for massages, spa treatments, and to hit two birds with one stone, goodies and services from women-owned businesses.
