Angels

[nursecathi]

I'm sure this has been discussed somewhere along the way but how does one respond when a family member tells you you are an angel. I, who am sarcastic and not shy about anything, find myself unable to find an appropriate response to that. I am far from being an angel! My halo has so many dents it's not funny! I don't feel "thank you" is the right thing to say. Anyone have anything?

[vampiregirl, BSN, RN]

In hospice, it's really the family/ caregivers who have the hardest role. Hospice staff are the support system. It is really a privilege to be involved in hospice case though, dying can be a very intimate and emotional time for a family. I sometimes find reflecting those sentiments in response to a compliment works.

It can be uncomfortable at times to accept compliments.

Sometimes it's those of us who have the dented halo's that are most appreciated - or rather relatable to the patient. I try to ensure my demeanor is appropriate for a given situation and patient. There are some case where tasteful humor is perfectly appropriate and an effective strategy for dealing with a particular patient and/ or diffusing a situation.

[TammyG]

I usually just respond "I love doing this work" or "it is an honor to be here today" or something like that. The family is very stressed and very appreciative for any help. Family members will often say to me "I don't know how you can do this every day" because they associate it with so much emotion, but of course for us, we approach it as professionals. I would just take it as the family letting you know that you are being helpful, which of course is why we got into this profession in the first place. I do not take it as an invitation to perform a searching moral inventory. We all have plenty dents in our halo.