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MAGNET
Recognizing our Houston Methodist Nurses

By Tamara Dubose, DNP, RN, NE-BC

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Meaningful recognition is the process of acknowledging and showing gratitude to someone for their actions or contributions in a deliberate manner that is valuable to them. Recognition reinforces positive behaviors and promotes engagement and job satisfaction. It should be inclusive, timely, specific, and intentional. A recent system study on meaningful recognition performed by the Houston Methodist Nursing Science team found that nurses across the system want to be recognized formally and informally.
According to the Houston Methodist System Magnet Program directors, nurses are recognized at the unit and organizational levels with awards from internal and external forums. They are recognized for their contributions to nursing excellence, exemplary professional practice and extraordinary patient outcomes. Nurses are also recognized for demonstrating kindness, teamwork, compassion and exemplifying the ICARE values. Each hospital has unique ways of recognizing nurses, such as the Early Career Nurse Award and the Brown Foundation Award at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, while nurses at Houston Methodist Clear Lake receive swag and event tickets and are introduced in Tier 3 huddles for their contributions to patient safety.
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Early Career Nurse Award Winners. From left: Goolue Xie, Kayla Cummings, Thelma Ekezie
The vast majority of awards celebrating nurses are available at all entities. Internal recognition includes ICARE, Bravos, Good Catch, Daisy, and Nurses Week Awards. External awards include the Good Samaritan Award, Houston Chronicle’s Top Nurses Award and the Texas Nurses Association District 9 Nurse Hero Award. Certified nurses are celebrated by receiving badge buddies and a special gift each year on Certified Nurses Day. Accomplishments such as publications, conference presentations, fundraising and community service are announced in newsletters and unit huddles. In conclusion, no matter how small or big the recognition, making an intentional effort to ensure staff feel valued is essential.