For years, the annual bundt cake tradition symbolized appreciation but also exposed a quiet inefficiency. Perishable items with fleeting satisfaction consuming significant resources while delivering little in terms of engagement or meaning. In May 2025, Kaiser Permanente Vallejo “Power of the Nurse” initiative flipped that narrative, replacing disposable gestures with purposeful recognition that spoke to both the intellect and the spirit of nursing.
Voice of Nursing leaders Jeanette Ferrer-Valladares, MSN, RN, SNIV, Krystle Javier, RN, SNIII, and Samantha Avecilla, MSN, RN, spearheaded budgetary and planning processes that challenged standard appreciation approaches, focusing on nursing engagement and excellence. Cost-effective procurement enabled broader investment in mental wellness programming, teamwork initiatives, professional development opportunities, and leadership accessibility activities that foster sustainable collaborative experiences.
Authenticity defined the week. Units created custom scrub tops for runway presentations and decorated conference rooms with nurse power themes. They also featured Pacific Islander cultural cuisine to honor heritage month, blending professional pride with meaningful cultural recognition. Nurses voluntarily contributed funds for boba refreshments. VON members painted event backdrops, created promotional materials, and arranged professional development tables featuring local nursing programs from Touro University, Pacific Union College, and Samuel Merritt University.
Unit identity showcases featured visually engaging posters, highlighted key projects and achievements, and incorporated various forms of recognition. These included lighthearted badge ribbons such as “party animal” as well as elements promoting mental health awareness, effectively blending humor with meaningful acknowledgment of important issues. Individual recognition included talent shows featuring singing and dancing performances, plus Zumba sessions with current and retired nurses.
Charity Shelton DNP, RN, Adult Services Director, was recognized as the Most Accessible Leader, receiving this honor by collecting the highest number of signatures in nurses’ cards. This engaging activity not only fostered connections between leadership and staff but also provided a lighthearted and interactive way for nurses to get to know their leaders while building camaraderie. Additionally, the week’s celebrations included special recognition for nurses who earned new certifications, advanced on the clinical ladder, completed nursing degrees, and were honored with DAISY Awards, ensuring that professional achievements were meaningfully acknowledged as an integral part of the event.
This initiative demonstrates how thoughtful, practical recognition choices not only meet the immediate needs of nurses but also cultivate lasting engagement, professional growth, and a sense of community that carries forward well beyond Nurses Week.
Learn More at https://napa-solano.kp.org/about/photos/nurses-week-2025/