When NICU nurses were planning an event to encourage team-building and well-being, one activity checked all the boxes: yoga, sunshine, lunch in an orchard – and friendly alpacas.

“I realized a common passion of my NICU coworkers was our love for animals,” shared Patricia Flynn, PT, who organized the excursion for nurses. “It was a chance to bring a great group of people together in a setting outside of work just to enjoy each other, and of course, the alpacas in a stress-free environment.”

This experience was part of the Department of Nursing’s Well-being at Work program, which provided nearly 50 grants to support units and practice areas in promoting well-being and team development. The grants are funded with generous donations from Susan and James Hunnewell, the Estate of Hannah Shrand and Mr. Saul Kurlat and Mrs. Gitta Kurlat.

Earlier this year, units were invited to submit applications with details about how they would use the funds. Some units sought funding for holiday parties. Others requested excursions such as harbor cruises or a comedy show. Many teams recognized the value of enhancing their daily work environment and purchased items that would benefit staff in the units, such as a coffee station and a massage chair.

“We are deeply grateful for the support of our donors in bringing so many ideas to fruition,” said Julia Mason, DNP, MBA, RN, CENP, chief nursing officer and senior vice president of Patient Care Services. “Grant applications reflected the thoughtfulness of different unit and practice areas in considering what would be impactful for the teams. The ideas were truly varied and creative.”

Here’s a glimpse at some of the activities teams have participated in so far:

Cruise on a Duck Boat

The crew from Braunwald Tower 9AB hopped aboard a Boston Duck Tour boat for a fun experience on land and water.

“The weather couldn’t have been better, and it was a great opportunity to hang out outside of work,” Jenelle Johnson, MSN, RN, PMGT-BC, nurse director of Inpatient Oncology and Leiden Center for Clinical Trials, shared of the experience.

Tree Top Adventure

The Clinical Documentation group took team-building to new heights at Tree Top Adventure. They completed challenging ropes courses while encouraging and supporting each other.

“We celebrated each other’s personal success on this course, and for myself, I was reinvigorated. This grant provided our team a chance to work together and achieve a common goal outside of work. I am grateful that we had this opportunity and hope we get another one in the future,” shared Cynthia Labins, MSN, RN, documentation specialist.

Ronald Mendoza, BSN, RN, documentation specialist, added, “It was fun to reconnect and bond with one another in person. The course was challenging, and some of us were not confident enough to try, but with the encouragement and motivation we provided each other, we managed to get through the course with excitement and courage. The course showed us that working together and supporting one another makes a tough task possible to achieve with success.”

Biking in Provincetown

Palliative Care nurse practitioners reenergized with a beach and biking day in Provincetown.

“Our group of Palliative Care nurse practitioners utilized our Well-being at Work program funds to go to Provincetown for the day. We went biking and hung out on the beach! We had an amazing time,” shared Kate Sciacca, MSN, NP, Palliative Care nurse practitioner.

Custom Cookies

There wasn’t a cookie-cutter approach to using well-being grants across the department, but one team’s grant involved actual cookie cutters!

During Emergency Nurses Week, the ED’s Clinical Practice Committee worked with a former ED nurse-turned-entrepreneur to bake delicious custom cookies in recognition of the team.

“Emergency Nurses Week this year was extra special because the well-being grant enabled us to utilize the talent of a former ER nurse while celebrating those that are active working in the field. Gopa Mukherjee’s company, GoPasties, did a beautiful job making customized cookies to celebrate Emergency Nurses Week,” shared Christine Conroy, BSN, RN, CEN, member of the Clinical Practice Committee.

More photos and stories will be shared on Instagram @BWHNursing! Explore a digital photobook showcasing all the photos submitted by teams.