Whether nurses are at work or at the dinner table, they have plenty to be thankful for on Thanksgiving.

Nurses, nurses aides and nursing students alike can all rejoice in the fact we have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!

1. We are thankful for our coworkers!

Working on holidays is definitely never fun, but when you work with your favorite people, it can make all of the difference! On the holidays, you want nothing more than to stuff your face and be with your family. But when you consider yourself to have a "work family," working holidays may not be so bad! Whether you all bring food, work alongside in the trenches with you or just listen to you complain ... having them is just a #blessing! And even if you aren't working any holidays, we are still very blessed and thankful for our coworkers!

2. When a patient is A&O x 3, continent of urine and stool, AND requires minimal assistance.

I love my totally dependent and demented patients as much as the next gal, but sometimes it is wonderful to have a patient that really doesn't need much from you aside from medications and a question here and there. A patient that does not require much from you is something to be thankful for! We love helping people, but sometimes having an assignment completely full of dependent people is not a fun time.

3. Nursing students are thankful for a six-day break!!!

That does not mean we are totally free from studying, but that is six days free of class, clinical, and professors. I can focus on the things that matter again ... like Netflix and my cats. I can take naps, eat, and claim I will go to the gym since I have free time ... But actually won't.

4. Thanksgiving gifts from employers!

Turkeys, pies, or gift cards — Thanksgiving gifts from your facility/employer are the best because for once, you feel appreciated! It may be a tiny turkey, but still a yummy turkey all the same! Thank goodness for free food this Thanksgiving!

5. Most importantly, we are thankful for our patients!

Without our patients, we would be out of a job. Our patients allow us to use our abilities and talents in caring for them and helping to heal them. That is a pretty amazing job, if you ask me. Our patients make our world go round. I am always blessed and say how thankful I am for them at my dinner table on Thanksgiving. Thank you to all of our patients and residents.

We are thankful for the patients we save and the patients we can't save. You all teach us a lesson whether we realize it or not. We are thankful for the patients we nurse back to health and for the patients who allow us help them pass on. We are thankful for the ones who want to give us an easy day and the ones who make are days slightly more difficult. Without you all, we would not have a purpose to thrive and heal.

We are thankful for you all.