The Importance of Expressing Love and Appreciation in Nursing Relationships
Bilang nurse, naka-tadhana na tayo na magsilbi at magalaga. Automatic na ‘yan. Our lives are dedicated to serving others. Every day, we provide care and comfort to our patients, work closely with our colleagues, and support our families and loved ones all at the same time. Amidst the chaos and demands of our work, and the multiple hats that we wear, it is easy to forget yung importance ng pag-express ng love and appreciation for the people in our lives, especially those we work with. Kaya in this short article, we will explore why it is important to express love and appreciation in nursing relationships, paano ito gawin ng tama, and how we can cultivate a culture of care and respect in our workplaces.
Nursing is more than just a job. It’s a calling, a profession that requires immense dedication, compassion, and hard work. It is also a profession that can take a toll on our mental, emotional, and physical health. According to a study by the American Nurses Association, nurses are at high risk for burnout, depression, and compassion fatigue. And in order to combat these challenges, it is important to create a supportive and positive work environment. Yung environment na you can be yourself in, an environment na hindi ka matatakot mag-express ng nararamdaman mo. One way to do this is by expressing love and appreciation for one another.
Expressing love and appreciation in the workplace is not just a feel-good activity. Hindi lang yan yung the usual fare of building rapport like what we do in most areas of our lives; in quick elevator rides or when we are nice to someone at the park— it goes beyond that. Expressing love and appreciation has been shown to have tangible benefits for mental and emotional well-being. Studies have found that expressing gratitude can improve our overall happiness and life satisfaction, reduce stress, and even lower blood pressure. It also has positive effects on our relationships with others, including increased trust, empathy, and cooperation.
So how can we express love and appreciation in nursing relationships? One way is to show gratitude for our colleagues' hard work and dedication. Win-win siya, because kindness is infectious. This can be as simple as saying "thank you" or writing a note of appreciation. It can also involve celebrating milestones, such as birthdays, work anniversaries, and achievements. Another way is to practice active listening and empathy. By truly listening to our colleagues and understanding their perspectives, we can build stronger, more positive relationships.
As Filipino nurses, we have a unique perspective on the importance of relationships kasi diyan tayo magaling (sa pakikipag kapwa-tao). Our culture values family, community, and strong social ties. We are known for our warmth, hospitality, and compassion, and that set of traits extends to strangers and people we’ve only just met. Growing up in the Philippines, we’ve been trained to use the words ‘Ate’ and ‘Kuya’ to mean big sister and big brother whenever we address total strangers. Sometimes we even add ‘Tito’ and ‘Tita’ (Uncle & Auntie) before the names of those we’ve known for sometime, even if we are unrelated. And by bringing the spirit of these values into our workplaces in the US, we can create a culture of care and respect that benefits ourselves, our co-workers, and our patients.
Expressing love and appreciation in nursing relationships is not just a "nice to have" activity, or switch that you can turn on or off. It is a unique platform to build a stronger relationship with your peers. Expressing love and appreciation in nursing relationships is a crucial component of creating a positive and supportive work environment that promotes well-being. As Filipino nurses, we have a special opportunity to bring our cultural values into our workplaces. Ipakita natin yung tunay na ugali ng Pinoy na minamahal sa buong mundo, by showing how we as Filipinos express our love and appreciation not just to the people we randomly encounter on the street, but to those people that we spend time with in our lives.
