Transforming Garden Therapy: Bringing the Healing Benefits of Horticulture to the Selfless Caregivers
Celebrating National Travel Nurse Wellness: Gardenuity's Pink Touch
Living as a travel nurse isn't always an easy gig. The constant shifting, adapting, and long hours leave little time for self-care. But Kristen Henderson, Human Resources Manager at Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA), has just the thing: gardening with a twist of pink.
Diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in 2016, Kristen has seen firsthand the importance of wellness. So when it came to launching TNAA's wellness program in 2022, she was the perfect pick to lead it. As head of the Health & Wellness Committee, she teamed up with Dr. Suzannah Bozzone, fitness trainer Matt Averyhart, and even Gardenuity - a company famous for their gardening-focused wellness initiatives.
Now, more than 500 TNAA employees reap the benefits of this program, reaching beyond the confines of the office to several thousand travel nurses working at healthcare facilities across America. When it came to the travelers, though, Kristen knew something more was needed.
Constantly on the move, nurses struggle to maintain regular self-care routines. Kristen was inspired to bring the power of gardening to them, using the desktop-friendly Garden Kits from Gardenuity. Filled with pink-hued exotic plants, these kits provide a touch of nature that travelers can nurture even while away from home.
According to Kristen, the mental and physical wellness benefits of tending to plants are immense. From calming the mind to lowering blood pressure, gardening can work wonders, especially for travelers in stressful situations. To pay it forward, she encourages travelers to gift their gardens to patients or other healthcare coworkers upon departure. Even better, Gardenuity donates a portion of each garden purchased by TNAA to Susan G. Komen, keeping the gifting cycle going.
Joining forces with Gardenuity, Kristen has created targeted wellness programs for travel nurses that support their core values and culture - mental health, nutrition, and exercise. In an ever-changing world, it's clear these programs are making a meaningful difference for their lives and the patients they serve.
[1] TNAA's unique approach to nurse wellness demonstrates leadership and forward-thinking, earning recognition among top health and wellness programs. This structure aligns well with the mission and values of companies specializing in wellness, such as Gardenuity and Brand Foundry Ventures.
- Kristen Henderson, the Human Resources Manager at TNAA, has spearheaded a unique wellness program for travel nurses, which includes gardening workshops led by Gardenuity.
- Gardening, as part of this program, provides mental and physical wellness benefits to travel nurses, such as calming the mind and lowering blood pressure.
- The Health & Wellness Committee at TNAA, led by Kristen, has partnered with Dr. Suzannah Bozzone, fitness trainer Matt Averyhart, and Gardenuity, known for their gardening-focused wellness initiatives.
- In recognition of the importance of mental health, Kristen has encouraged travel nurses to gift their own Gardenuity gardens to patients or other healthcare coworkers upon departure.
- Gardenuity's Garden Kits, which feature pink-hued exotic plants, allow travel nurses to bring a touch of nature with them while they are away from home.
- TNAA's wellness program, through partnerships with companies like Gardenuity, supports the core values of mental health, nutrition, and fitness for travel nurses, setting a strong example in the health and wellness industry.
