We have written on how nursing is often a thankless job, and that those who work in this line don’t do it for the recognition, but to help their brothers and sisters, and all other members of their community. Even though most nurses don’t work for fame or recognition, it doesn’t mean that a little gratitude won’t go a long way when it comes to keeping up job satisfaction. However, the most important part about gratitude is not necessarily what it brings to the person who is being thanked, but what it also helps to remove from the said person. Specifically, through gratitude, a person fosters optimism in their peers and removes pessimism altogether, creating a better work environment.

We know it may sound like a long shot and that, surely, to improve the working conditions of a person through gratitude exclusively must take a lot of thankfulness, but it’s actually quite the opposite. The field of positive psychology is the science that studies human happiness, as well as their strengths and virtues. This branch of psychology has specified on numerous occasions that, in order to improve a person’s outlook on their job and life, in general, all it takes is around 6 acts of thankfulness per day. In this manner, one can rewire their neuronal connections and help to act around gratitude, as opposed to other negative emotions. This change can help shape the way that a person views their surroundings and circumstances, and can do wonders to improve their outlook on life and work.

The Science of Gratitude

Gratitude, as with other positive emotions, is associated with specific neurotransmitters and other substances in our brain. Every time someone experiences thankfulness, their brain releases serotonin and dopamine, which are feel-good drugs that can radically alter the way a person views life. These neurotransmitters, once released, trigger intrinsic motivation and optimism, which is something referred to as the gratitude circle. Once these neurotransmitters flow freely, the individual inherently becomes more mindful of positive things, while blocking out the negatives.

Furthermore, those who are constantly exposed to the gratitude circle are more deliberate in their thoughts and are more focused on their own acts of kindness and thankfulness towards others, improving the environment around them. In a sense, people who regularly partake of the gratitude circle act as a beacon of positivity for those around them. In this manner, they literally inspire hope, happiness, and helpfulness in their peers through sheer gratitude.

A Thankful Lifestyle

However, the power of gratitude is not only associated with positivity in the workplace, as people who regularly experience it are also proven to lead healthier lifestyles. Those who consistently practice thankfulness show a better attitude towards healthy habits such as exercising, eating healthier, refraining from harmful practices such as smoking, and limiting their alcohol consumption to the social level. Furthermore, these positives are not limited to better habits, but also improved wellness markers; those who practice gratitude tend to show lower levels of cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and higher tolerance to stress. The latter effect implies that, even while stressed, a thankful person will not suffer the same effects while under extreme stress.

Thankfulness in Nursing

The job of a nurse is not an easy one; we don’t need to tell you that. The long shifts, difficult patients, getting body fluids in places where the sun doesn’t shine and, in some cases, coming home to kids and family that need feeding, makes it difficult for a nurse to maintain a positive and thankful outlook. Nevertheless, it is these very circumstances that make adhering to gratitude so important, especially in the workplace. In a trade where random acts of kindness from strangers are sometimes as rare as a unicorn, it is important to focus on the little things that make our day better and be thankful for them. Furthermore, gratitude is not a one-and-done act; it is something that must be practiced every day, and possibly with the aid of your fellow nurses. 

Luckily, gratitude is very contagious, and so are the positive aspects associated with this state. Activities that foster kindness and thankfulness such as writing thank-you notes to your peers, recognizing their strengths and accepting their shortcomings, or even congratulating someone for being able to deal with a difficult patient are all tasks that can help to foster gratitude in the workplace. Even small symbolic gestures such as hanging up a picture of the most effective team of the month, or giving out notes of recognition for those who have achieved certain milestones on the job, can give the staff something to work for in the daily grind, as well as something to foster gratitude for those who win it.

In a workplace where the negatives seem to pile up with no signs of stopping, the importance of being thankful cannot be understated. So be sure to get out there and start handing out some thank you notes; the long path to gratitude starts with the smallest gestures!