Family Members of an Old Patient of mine....

[live4today, RN]

....were behind me in Walmart today while I was checking out. I didn't recognize who they were, but they knew me. The woman said, "I know you! You took care of my Mom when she was in the hospital!" The man with her said, "That's right, you did!" I looked a little puzzled because I could not recall their faces. That always bothers me when that happens. Anyway, I said what is your Mom's name? They told me her name, and right away I remembered that patient. We chatted while my "goodies" were being rung up slowly by the cashier because she was wayyyyy into the conversation (listening intently). The daughter of my former patient kept thanking me for being so good to her mom, and told the cashier what an excellent nurse I was. She went on to say not everyone on my floor was as nice, but I was, and they were glad to have had me as their mom's nurse during her hospitalization.

During that conversation, I learned the patient died four days after discharge. She was hanging on by a thread (said the daughter) because she did not want to die in the hospital but at home with the family around her, and her wish was fulfilled. :)

I'm so happy for that family. I'm so glad the Lord saw fit for me to hear about that particular patient in that way. Who would have imagined I'd meet them in the Walmart checkout line? :)

I gave them a really warm hug before I left the store, and asked the daughter to please pass on that hug to the family for me with my condolences in the loss of the matriarch of their family. May she rest in eternal peace now. She was so so sick.

How many times have you run into a patient or patient family member in public and not remember them, or have them come up to you thankful for the care you gave their loved one?

THIS is what nursing is all about! It's why I will fight to keep it safe!

[Noney]

What a nice thing to have happen to you. Like a scene out of a movie, eh?

Noney

[crankyasanoldma]

I had a similar experience taking my son for his 6 y.o. check up this month. The mom recognized me in the lobby. I recognized her instantly, too. She hugged me twice and we both started to fight back tears. Her son is 3 1/2 now!

I sure do remember that family. I'm glad I made a difference to her.

[live4today, RN]

As nurses, we do make a huge difference in our patients lives, and we should never let anyone take that away from us. Every now and then a former patient or their family member comes along to remind us that we aren't all washed up and ready to hang out to dry. I needed that moment today. I was down about not working right now doing what I love to do.......be a nurse. Come next month, I am praying that I will find another nursing position where I will be appreciated for being the good nurse that I know I am.

[Gldngrl]

A few years back, a former patient saw me at the mall, pointed and yelled out "That's my nurse" to his family...I stared at him for a moment and then recognized him b/c it was the first time I had seen him with his "hair" (He did not want to wear it in the hosp). It's always nice to see patients out of the hospital environment, doing well and touching that they remember our contribution to their recovery. MMB

[Burnt Out, ASN, RN]

I see a lot of former patients and their families out and about...I have to stare at them sometimes to remember who they are...

Yes, this IS what nursing is all about:)

[Chaya, ASN, RN]

Cheerful-

Ya just gotta believe that moments like that are possible, even if it never happens to you...so glad it actually did, when you needed a reminder of what you are bringing to this world.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Thanks for sharing Renee. You've shared a lot of anger and frustrations with your job on this bb lately, it's good to know you haven't lost your perspective on things.

:kiss

[healingtouchRN]

Walmart is the great equalizer, most everyone in this area shops there. I have taken care of the cashiers hubby when he had an MI. I have taken care of the other cashier's foot numerous times for chronic ailments. Several stockers have sat in my triage area with back aches or the flu. I run into former co-workers everytime I go in there. The pharmacist used to work @ the hospital I work @ now. My hospital does Walmart's worker comp stuff, so ya get really close to this family of people. I know if I don't put on make up that I WILL see patients, family members, & co-workers, Murphy's Law!!!! For a city of about 250K people, it really is like a town!

[lucianne]

Since I work in psych, I don't acknowledge my former patients except with a smile unless they start a conversation with me. Sometimes their parents will come up and talk to me and fill me in on how they're doing. I've never come across any of the very young ones in public, but coworkers have and usually get a hug from the little guys.

[Speculating]

Originally posted by lucianne

Since I work in psych, I don't acknowledge my former patients except with a smile unless they start a conversation with me. Sometimes their parents will come up and talk to me and fill me in on how they're doing. I've never come across any of the very young ones in public, but coworkers have and usually get a hug from the little guys.

I reside in the ER. I know of at least two occassions while picking up groceries at the store that I've seen pt's. that I've had to four point in the past for one reason or another. In those cases I try not to make eye contact

[SmilingBluEyes]

It happens from time to time here.......bigger city however.

but in the town in OK in which I used tolive, IT HAPPENED all the TIME.

They would thrust toddlers at me and say : "hey you remember when Joey was born? You helped me hang in there and push him out" or something of that order. One even credited me with saving her very life (maybe, she was PP hemorraging in the worst way I had ever seen).......

That I made that kind of impact on anyone's life is a HUGE reason I even stay in nursing, really .......I love that people know I do care.