“Thank you” – most of us say these words many times a day: buying a coffee, having a meal delivered, completing household chores, and so on. We say it often, but what does saying “thank you” actually accomplish? Thank you has a power that can bind people together and increase the mental well-being of both the thanked and the thanker. 

 As Walt Disney once said, “The greatest moments in life are not concerned with selfish achievements but rather with the things we do for the people we love and esteem, and whose respect we need.” 

These two words – “thank you” – are so powerful, yet they fall short of fully encompassing our gratitude to the nurses in the skilled nursing field going in and out of harm’s way every day, making sure our loved ones are taken care of. We greatly appreciate everything they do, especially since the pandemic began, during which time they’ve bravely served our communities in the face of personal risk. 

 During the worst of COVID-19, while the rest of us were at home trying to stay safe, nurses in the skilled nursing space were on the front lines. Even though they may not wear capes, they are the superheroes that rose to the occasion, putting themselves selflessly out there in dangerous and uncharted territories every day – from New York to California and all around the world – taking care of the most vulnerable in our communities. 

 As a software company that supports senior care and skilled nursing payroll and human capital management (HCM), we’ve watched our clients persevere during the last 14 months in spite of endless challenges. To all nurses, thank you for every sacrifice that you are making to care for and bring comfort and smiles to those we love. We recognize your daily efforts and are truly grateful for everything that you all do. 

Offering our thanks is important, but as Dan Neuburger (CEO of Viventium) says, “Don’t just tell me. Show me.” Throughout last year, our employees and their families created thank you cards to celebrate and show our gratitude to nurses and health care professionals. We still love seeing the cheerful artwork that kids created amidst the chaos to share their thanks. As part of our 2020 company year-end celebration, we were also inspired to donate to the Coronavirus Response Fund for Nurses through the American Nurses Foundation, whose purpose is to support the mental health of nurses, ensure nurses have access to the latest science information, and provide direct financial assistance to nurses facing hardships due to a COVID diagnosis. And recently, at the start of 2021, we celebrated the “Top 20 Nurses of 2020” with our friends at Apploi by participating as one of the judges, which was difficult since there are so many incredible nurses out there.  

 While these gestures are small in comparison to the efforts made by nurses across the country each and every day – to every skilled nurse, we want you to know your efforts are noticed and you inspire us to serve you. Thank you!