Meet Michelle Mahaffey of Community Health Network.

“I know we cannot put our patients first unless my team puts our employees first. I have to think about all of my employees. How are they doing that? What are they thinking everyday when they wake up and they head into the healthcare facility or the office? What is it that is getting them energized and making them excited about opening their laptop or putting on their coat or putting on their badge?”

Listen to the episode below to learn how Community Health Network puts their employees first, ensuring a healthy and engaged organization so they can focus on the patient experience.

Michelle Mahaffey models the Wambi value of compassion in distinguishing the definition between “being healthy” versus “being engaged.”

“You really kind of have to separate out healthy and engaged at first and then bring them back together. When we think about being healthy, each one of us is an individual and we’re responsible for our own health. But as employers, we do have a role, and we can’t make our employees take care of themselves. But what we can do is we can reassure them that we support them and taking care of themselves. We can provide resources and programs. We can support them in utilizing those resources and programs, and that is huge as an employer.”

Want More? If you liked this podcast, listen to Bonnie Clipper’s podcast episode on How Is Innovation Driving Employee Engagement.

Strengthen your organizational resilience and align team goals with The Resilience Workbook,  a free 12-page resource to mitigate clinician burnout. Download here.

This Gut + Science episode is sponsored by Wambi. Don’t miss out on future episodes; subscribe today!

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As we enter another year of celebrating the nursing profession thanks to the extension of The Year of The Nurse and The Midwife, we are reminded of the daily service and sacrifices nurses provide in order to better the healthcare experience for all. Nurses have distilled kindness in their care while beleaguered by the adversities of a raging pandemic and inequities in healthcare. Evident in Dr. Bonnie Clipper’s numerous conversations with influential nurses around the USA, we see that at the end of the day, nurses are people who are simply caring for people. Care is a core part of the nursing identity and in tribute to the outstanding care nurses continue to issue, we at Wambi are uplifting their testaments and truths.  We turned to the counsel of 5 celebrated female healthcare nursing leaders, making a difference in the areas of advocacy, innovation, education, company culture, and consultancy, to impart their takeaways on joy, compassion, gratitude, imagination and fearlessness. Watch and listen to our interviews with:

• Brittany Merkle: Lead Innovation Strategist at University Hospitals Venture
• Dr. Sarah Abel: Director of Educational Resources, Global, and Marketplace at Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
• Martie Moore: Chairperson of Continuum XR,  Independent Consultant, and Former Chief Nursing Officer at Medline Industries
• Dr. Sophia Thomas: President of The American Association of Nurse Practitioners and Family and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at The Daughters of Charity Health System
• Dr. Renee Thompson: CEO and Founder of the Healthy Workforce Institute

Brittany Merkle on Imagination

Meet Brittany Merkle, RN, BSN, and Lead Innovation Strategist at University Hospital Ventures. Armed with a nursing degree and a M.A. in Service Design, the first in the country with this specific degree combination, she supports UH Venture’s nursing innovation initiatives.  She has built a creative career from both her passions and exhibits her imagination for the future of the nursing profession in her post-pandemic reflections.

“When we talk about nursing innovation and the ability to think creatively and real-time solutions, this was pre-existing…. How MacGyvering is already happening on the frontlines and the real key issue here is scale. COVID-19 has illuminated this tenfold. ED nurses are jerryrigging their own masks to enhance fit and ensure their comfort, or they’re finding new ways to approach social distancing. Nurses and frontline staff are very creative but we know this now more than ever… we have an opportunity to see these workarounds as a means of education in terms of our leadership and opportunities for design.

Nurses also need to be at the table when we’re doing advance care planning for our systems, our policies and our procedures, as we move into this new normal, and many new normals to come. I try to channel my inner Amy Poehler or Tina Fey and grab a seat even though I may not be invited and my form of leadership may look different than others at the table. I just saw a post by Dr. Dan Weberg and it said, ‘You don’t have to be a hero, you’re a human.’ I really love that because nurses get people; we really get people. And yes is that our superpower, but that also comes with responsibility and a lot of heaviness, a consistent need to bounce back after hard times. There’s a lot work to be done to maintain this positioning of more proactive resilience. We need to support each other in this transition ultimately.”

Dr. Sarah Abel on Gratitude

Meet Dr. Sarah Abel, DNP, RN, CEN, FAEN, the Director of Educational Resources, Global, and Marketplace at Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and a creative visionary for transformational leadership. Her enthusiasm for empowering others stems from over 15 years of work in emergency and occupational medicine. Today, Dr. Abel educates healthcare providers with resources, knowledge, and tools, to help with professional development, as well as prepare the next generation of nursing leaders. In her years of service, she prioritizes gratitude for frontline colleagues as a means to mitigate clinician burnout.

“I just want to take some time to say thank you to all of those working on the frontlines that have sacrificed. They have dedicated their time, their efforts, and energies to a community that may not always be grateful back and may not understand all that you are doing for them. It is so important that we take time to appreciate each other. Make sure to show gratitude for those on the frontlines, working besides you in all the different areas. Make sure you’re showing gratitude to everyone along the way and to everybody you come encounter who is continuing to serve and has been in service for quite sometime because they may be growing weary.”

Martie Moore on Joy

Meet Martie Moore, MAOM, RN, CPHQ, a seasoned healthcare expert, innovator, and strategist with decades of experience in advancing patient and employee safety, transforming workplace culture, and bettering care delivery systems. She serves on a number of advisory boards, and is a member of AONL, Sigma, ANAm and NAHQ. Due to her contributions as one of America’s finest female nursing leaders, Martie Moore was recognized by Saint Martin’s University with an honorary doctorate degree. Hear Martie speak joyfully on the inspiring work of present-day healthcare providers.

“Nurses see more in the course of the day than most people see in their lifetime. If I can say anything about this moment in time, it has opened the world to what nurses do. Using this analogy,  we are the glue that holds healthcare together. If all the nurses disappeared overnight, in my personal opinion, healthcare would fall apart. And now, so many people truly understand how nurses and healthcare providers are the glue. And that glue is something we have to celebrate, acknowledge, support, and elevate.”

Dr. Sophia Thomas on Compassion

Dr. Sophia L. Thomas DNP, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, is a devoted Family and Pediatric nurse practitioner at The Daughters of Charity Health System, while also acting as the current President of The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). For 23 years, Dr. Thomas’ career has been a demonstration of service above self. She has given back to her colleagues in the form of mentorship, advocated for the nursing community as a member of several national-level organizations, and provided medical care to underserved families of Louisiana. She has been featured in Money Magazine and on NBC News with Brian Williams. Listen firsthand to the ways in which compassion has been woven into Dr. Thomas’ work and personal life philosophy.

“We can’t change the past but we can define the future. I think on a personal level, I think it’s important for people to listen and be a good neighbor and follow the golden rule. Listen more than we speak. Mentor others and bring up others. Mentorship is so important in the medical field. I think it’s also important that we advocate for the voiceless. As nurses and nurse practitioners, many times, we’re advocating for patients, speaking up for what’s right for them. I think that should go across all lines, all professions.”

Dr. Renee Thompson on Fearlessness

Meet Dr. Renee Thompson, DNP, RN-Nurse and a Workplace Bullying Expert. She founded the Healthy Workforce Institute, whose mission is to cultivate supportive and respectful work cultures in nursing. In her tenure as a female nursing leader, Dr. Thompson has been a champion of courageously addressing disruptive and negative behaviors in healthcare as a way to better the care experience for all. Hear her fearless wisdom for leaders looking to lead their teams in times of crisis.

“Look, in a crisis like this, we see the best and worst in people. Today, I need you to be your best. Neither you nor I have extra energy to devote to pettiness, nitpicking, and cruelty. Can I count on you today?”

Because you only have control over today. It’s understandable that people are behaving and reacting in negative ways. But address it — don’t ignore it. You need to address it.

If you’ve been wondering how to show your appreciation to a special nurse in your life, lean into the love language of gift giving. Each of our 15 gifts for nurses have been chosen with hardworking nurses in mind, honoring their year–round efforts to supply compassionate care to millions of Americans. Whether they’re on their toes all day long or have a proclivity for caffeine during long shifts, there are meaningful (and useful!) gifts for nurses. Make sure you put your orders in asap, so they arrive in time for National Nurses Week from May 6th to 12th!  

Tip: Bookmark this list for year-round gift giving since 2021 is also The Year of the Nurse.

1. BALA Twelves Nursing Shoes, $130

The BALA shoes were such a hit on our 2021 Healthcare Holiday Gift Guide that they had to make a comeback on our gifts for nurses list! The first in “Her Design” footwear, each shoe was built to have a personalized and adaptive fit for women. And along with its inclusive build, each shoe is outfitted with the high-traction outsoles, HRS cushioning for 24-hour support and comfort, and a fluid resistant outer layer. Say hello to healthy and happy feet! 15% off sitewide all month.

2. Studs for Scrub, $39.95 

The right amount of mask-friendly bling.  This family-owned jewelry company based out of Reading, MA has been using their 12 mm Swarovski® studs to make both a fashion statement, and a public health statement, for the nursing community. 100% of the proceeds are donated to the American Nurses Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund for Nurses. 10% off with the code STAT10. 

3. Delightly: Registered Murse Kit, On Sale for $47.99 

An appreciation box fit for a frontline hero. Delight your favorite “murse” with a gift set that endorses post-work relaxation. Each box comes with cozy socks, a rocks glass, exfoliating soap, and a set of whiskey stones with a wooden case. Help them unwind on their own terms. 

4. Real Luxury Intensive Skin Treatment Candle, $46 

Meet the candle that works as hard as you do. The NEOM candle doubles as both a scented candle and massage. Simply light the candle and wait for the oil to melt. Made with a cocoa seed butter base and infused with a blend of luxurious rapeseed, soybean, sweet almond, baobab, and jojoba oil, you can lather the melted wax into your fatigued skin for extra hydration and nourishment.  

5. Gold Heartbeat Necklace, $42 

Similar to founder of Wambi Alex Coren’s story, Belen, the daughter of doctor, started The Med Charm as a way to say thank you to the daily sacrifices of nurses and doctors in their efforts to keep patients healthy and safe. The Heartbeat Necklace is a sophisticated, minimalist statement necklace and a portion of each purchase goes to Doctors Without Borders. 

6. Alpargata Healthcare Heroes Print, Starting at $49.95 

The most common complaint from nurses after long shifts are sore feet. Solution: alternate your shoes as an orthopedic remedy. The  iconic TOMS Classics, inspired by the Argentinian alpargata shoe, are light, breathable, and spacious, giving swollen feet a sigh of relief. Gift the limited-edition nurses appreciation print for nurses friends when they’re off-the-clock and help prevent any strains from repetitive use of the same shoes.20% off sitewide with code WAMBI20. 

7. Nurse Reusable Starbucks Tumblr and Starbucks Gift Card, $15.75  

Nothing says thank you like a morning pick-me-up from Starbucks. Give the gift of choice with a Starbucks gift card and slip it into a customizable, reusable Venti Starbucks tumbler. Double the gifts without giftwrap. Note: this tumbler is for iced drinks only and is not machine washable. 

8. Flower Starter Kit Planters, $13.95 

Brighten up their workspace with these sweetly packaged sprouts stamped with “punny” words of gratitude. Each wooden cube planter is filled with all the tools they’ll need to grow their very own plant, adding a playful element to this endearing gifts for nurses. Don’t forget to water them! Comes in three designs. 

9. Personalized Apple Watch Band, Starting at $14.98 

Trade in plain Apple Watch bands with a nurse-inspired personalized Apple Watch band. Along with the laser-cut personalization and designs, you can also select the color of the premium silicone bands. A meaningful and practical addition to your nurse’s daily uniform. 

10.  Wake up. Save Lives. Repeat. T-Shirt, $20 

Our favorite recipe for success. Not all superheroes wear capes and when they’re not saving the world, they’re having normal lives just like us. Gift this shirt for maximum comfort while displaying professional pride when the scrubs are in the laundry. Comes in three colors: Light Gray, Dark Gray, and Heather Dark Navy. 

11. Tansen Jogger Scrub Pants, $48 

These are not your ordinary scrubs. The much-raved about Figs scrubs are made with a trademark technical comfort technology, striking a seamless balance between comfort and functionality. Take their jogger scrub pants, with five utilitarian pockets hidden in a sleek and flattering pant design. Tailored in regular, tall, and short sizes. Fun fact: all the scrubs are named after places and people they’ve donated scrubs to through their Threads for Theads charity effort. 20% off all items sitewide for Nurses Week.

12. Custom #1 Nurses Face Socks, $24.99  

Nothing says personalized like seeing your face… on a pair of socks. For nurses with a sense of humor, these custom face socks will have them fully entertained. You can add up to five faces on each pair of socks, making it a great team gift for nurses.

13. Heartbeat Tumbler Glass, $24.95 

For the person who will always be there for you in a heartbeat. A refreshing update on the EKG pocket guide, the nurse getting this glass will always have the cardiac rhythms handy. 

14. Nurses Make it All Better Snow Globe, $51.99 

The magic of nurses is captured in this charming snow globe. This unique collectible is the perfect commemorative keepsake for nurses in any stage of their journey, whether they’ve just passed their NCLEX exam or are a seasoned veteran in the operating rooms. 

15. All Medical Apparel 

Need a wardrobe refresh? All Seasons Uniforms is celebrating Nurses Week with a 20% discount on all medical apparel found on their National Nurses Week page including scrubs, lab coats, protective coats, cleanroom clothing and more. 20% off on National Nurses Week page with code WAMBI20 (valid 5/6-5/12 only).