A nurses apologies

[Daisy_08, BSN, RN]

As I catch you in the hall, before you go in his room, I'm sorry he's taken a turn for the worse.

As I call you in the middle of the night, I'm sorry to wake you, but you must come in to say goodbye.

As I see you wondering the halls looking for her room, I'm sorry, she passed this morning.

As I find your child a juice, I'm sorry, she will never know her daddy

As I call the doctor in the middle of the night to start terminal sedation, I'm sorry, this is all we can do for you.

As I hold your hand and hug you tight, I'm sorry, you deserve more than a nurses apologies.

[MoopleRN]

I understand the sentiment (at least I think I do) but I don't apologize for things beyond my control/when I haven't done wrong. I empathize, but I don't apologize. Perhaps I'm being nit picky.... now that i think about it, not really sure what this OP is all about!

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

There are so many things we wish we could change for our patients. Unfortunately we are limited in what we can change/provide for them. It's frustrating and at times very sad. I understand.

[proud nurse, BSN, RN]

Why will the child never know her daddy?

[Sadala, ADN, RN]

I understand the sentiment (at least I think I do) but I don't apologize for things beyond my control/when I haven't done wrong. I empathize, but I don't apologize. Perhaps I'm being nit picky.... now that i think about it, not really sure what this OP is all about!

Being sorry and saying it doesn't equate to you having done something wrong. It can, if you're apologizing for something you've done, but it can also just mean that you feel sadness or regret for their situation. It does not imply fault or control.

When someone dies, you say, "I'm sorry for your loss." I mean, certainly, you're not HAPPY about it, right? And you didn't do anything to control or cause it.

So it's entirely appropriate to say that you're sorry. Sometimes, its all that we can say or do.

Anyway, I find myself saying "I'm sorry," quite lot lately.