[AmyLiz]

We had the neatest thing happen today. The family of one of our patients who died unexpectedly a month or two ago brought in a cake from very nice bakery that said "Thank you all" on it and a card that thanked us for everything we did for their dad/husband while he was on dialysis.

Every so often we'll get thank-yous from patients (one pt writes us poems every so often) and from family members of patients who have died (usually we get a vase of funeral flowers).

I was wondering if you all get these kind of "thank yous" from pts/families. Obviously we don't accept anything expensive or anything...but stuff like flowers, donuts, cookies, cards, etc. We don't get them all the time, either, but it makes me feel good when someone comes in after a funeral and sincerely thanks us for what we do. I mean, yeah, it's our job...but it's nice to know that we do make a difference in people's lives.

I don't mean to sound all gushy, or that I'm gift-greedy...that's definately not the case. I get just as thrilled (if not more so) when a pt tells me that I'm very gentle after I put needles in!

[jnette]

Yes, Amy, we do, too. And that is part of what makes dialysis nursing so wonderful.

Our patients or families are always bringing in homemade goodies for us.. cakes, cobblers, etc... and some of our patients know how much we NEED chocolate especially after turnover or toward the end of the day, and they bring us bags of Hershey Kisses and the like.

Again, these folks are like family, and they treat us in kind. As often as we see them, it's just natural to interact in this manner.

Glad your patients are treating you with respect appreciation, and kindness... it's a two way street.

[Allaroundnurse]

Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy and glad you became a nurse. It almost makes up for the 1am CHF calls for Acute nurses, the 10kg "but I only drank 1 glass of water" days, and my favorite, "OK WHO RAN OVER THE BICARB TANK TODAY?" days. To know that we do make a difference and it is appreciated makes me proud to say "I AM A NURSE AND I MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!" Never, but never say I am just a nurse, we save lives every day!