Are NPs expected to be happy and cheerful?

Specialties NP

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Honest question. My experience at the bedside, it seemed like hospitals always tried to shove down our throats the need to have a smiling, servitude style "Is there anything else I can do for you?" demeanor. In a more independent and authority role, do you find that you are also required and expected (I'm sure it can help) to have this demeanor as well?

Be kind. Be professional. That should be all that is required.

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We've heard for decades the impact of the bedside manner of MDs, many entitled to lousy ones up until recently. I'm sure they justified it and push back now, too.

I'm sure everyone remembers a provider who was extra kind and attentive toward a loved one, and appreciated it. A genuine smile and kindness take no energy.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Providers (like nurses) have employers and are subject to patient satisfaction surveys. I had an orthopedic surgeon recently ask me to give him a positive rating.

People respond to genuineness no matter who you are. Being genuine takes less energy than being someone you're not.

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Yeah I suck at the whole fakey fake smile stuff as a nurse. It hasn't really hurt me and I do try to be genuine, friendly and business like but I'm not cheerleader material. I can't imagine that will change much when I change the initials behind my name

Same here. I honestly thought going to grad school for a "professional" career as an RN would put me in a situation where I was respected for my knowledge and skill and we could do away with the servant-meets-cheerleader attitude at work. nope, file that under "things I wish I had known before applying to nursing school".

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Honest question. My experience at the bedside, it seemed like hospitals always tried to shove down our throats the need to have a smiling, servitude style "Is there anything else I can do for you?" demeanor. In a more independent and authority role, do you find that you are also required and expected (I'm sure it can help) to have this demeanor as well?

I think as an NP it wouldn't be the same because you wouldn't be expected to get coffee, tea, ice cream, bedside cots etc, which I don't have a problem with as long as I have the time to help I will. When I don't, I delegate it to the CNA's.

The NP's and Doctors are expected to get positive satisfaction scores, may have their pictures taken, even videos and be on billboards as the OP mentioned as an advertorial for that office or hospital system. Even a favorite RN coworker who went into home health had a picture of her displayed on the billboard for the company she worked for. She was a gentle, shy nurse and was still loved by patients, coworkers and her students when she taught nursing clinicals. I don't don't think you need an outgoing, effusive cheerleader personality, you just sound worn down from the stress of bedside nursing and patient satisfaction scores.

My favorite preceptor was gentle and calm and my favorite Dr is kind and low key. I remember taking my loved one to a Walgreen's clinic and I was so impressed with the NP. Her friendliness, experience and competence were a wonder to behold. I was in awe. She was not overly friendly, but she seemed so down to earth. I have great respect for both NP's and doctors.

I still encourage new grads to consider getting their NP and I think it is better to do it sooner as your science credits may only be good for 5 years, plus more importantly the stress of bedside nursing can wear you down and make you lose self confidence.

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Being genuine takes less energy than being someone you're not.

of course you're right, but American society seems to require uber-outgoing extroverted personalities in any sort of customer-facing role, so I don't have the option to be myself. I wish "professional and polite" was good enough, because I can easily do that. But it is EXHAUSTING to pretend to be something I'm not at work.

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Well professional & polite will have to be enough in my case as its the only trick this old dog knows. Honestly though it always has been for me. I get along great with my patients and have always got stellar reviews at work & in my clinical rotations. I think a lot of the whole fakey fake smile nonsense is an expectation nurses place on themselves

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

As a partner in a practice I expect all my staff, providers, and myself to be professional and polite. We talk frequently that it patients are consistently abusive in any manner they will be discharged from our practice, but, often times when people are ill they are not going out of their way to be courteous and this should be met with professionalism.

But I do feel there is a difference between being that and having the expectation that one is to continuously cater to your patient's every demand

You can not be a good provider by catering to every demand. There is external pressure on providers to be more "customer friendly" (just look at the data on PG scores and mortality) but this isn't good practice, though your employer may try to put that pressure on you.

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I think a lot of the whole fakey fake smile nonsense is an expectation nurses place on themselves

that is always a possibility; I will have to think about that.

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Honest question. My experience at the bedside, it seemed like hospitals always tried to shove down our throats the need to have a smiling, servitude style "Is there anything else I can do for you?" demeanor. In a more independent and authority role, do you find that you are also required and expected (I'm sure it can help) to have this demeanor as well?

No. Patients definitely want a grumpy NP because you are independent and an authority.

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No. Patients definitely want a grumpy NP because you are independent and an authority.

Yes, it's so unreasonable for patients to expect a NP to be pleasant, cheerful, and respectful when the NP is an independent authority!

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.
Honest question. My experience at the bedside, it seemed like hospitals always tried to shove down our throats the need to have a smiling, servitude style "Is there anything else I can do for you?" demeanor. In a more independent and authority role, do you find that you are also required and expected (I'm sure it can help) to have this demeanor as well?

I agree that nurses are still seen by many as handmaidens and not professionals.

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