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by NurseNature

I am not yet a nurse; although I can't wait to be a real live nurse! So... what do you say when you are thanked for caring for someone when you enjoy it so much and are being payed to do so? I have been thanked a lot lately for my actions as an in-law passed and I do not feel I did anything special. I cared for her the same as everyone else did. I feel very awkward being thanked for what I supposedly did for her and everyone else. I am now thinking that in this profession we will be thanked often, hopefully anyhow. So... what do you say? I can't say you're welcome b/c it just doesn't feel right. I am doing what I feel needs to be done or is right at the moment. I have never been good with compliments, but it just feels wrong to say thank you for helping someone be comfortable while dying. How do you all handle all the thank you's in all different situations?

[P_RN]

Re: what do you say when thanked?

In the first example: Thank you, she was a lovely and loving lady wasn't she. I shall miss her

Thanks for closing my door: Oh, you are welcome.

Thanks for bringing donuts: Hey, you get to bring them next time, thanks.

It's going to depend on the circumstances.

Sometimes I reply Thank YOU!

[bethin]

Re: what do you say when thanked?

I usually say "your welcome, I really enjoyed taking care of X." I then quickly change the subject to things such as: the pt's kids, grandkids, life story, etc. I don't like the thank you's either because I feel that it is my responsibility to provide great care. It's nice to hear, but then you have to respond.

[sharona97]

Re: what do you say when thanked?

How about , it's been my pleasure? Then da dee da dee,etc.?

[BookwormRN]

Re: what do you say when thanked?

"You are very welcome, it has been my pleasure." is appropriate. You are receiving a compliment; I have been taught to accept it graciously. Otherwise, you are negating the persons sentiment.

There is nothing wrong with being thanked for a job well done or going above and beyond. This includes caring for family or your patients on the job.

[Boston-RN]

Re: what do you say when thanked?

The other posters nailed it already.....not too many options

And remember those thank yous when you have a rough day and feel unappreciated.

[Tweety]

Re: what do you say when thanked?

I usually say "It's been my pleasure to take care of you......."

Nothing wrong with "you're welcome" either in my opinion.

[classicdame]

Re: what do you say when thanked?

You're welcome is still a nice response.

My pleasure.

Thank you for saying that. I appreciate your comment.

[heathIam]

Re: what do you say when thanked?

'You're welcome' is a perfectly appropriate response to being thanked for doing your job. As indicated, to NOT acknowledge their thanks is to negate it and to diminish their gratitude. When a someone dies the family are often caught by some small act that they consider a special kindness and that they feel made a difference to their loved one as they lay dying.

You're welcome and Thanks are used far too little in our world these days

[llg]

Re: what do you say when thanked?

I agree with the other posters. There is nothing wrong with saying "You're welcome." I often add something like, "I'm glad I was able to help," and move on to a new topic.