Feel Good Moments

[IftheShoeFits]

Hi allnurses!

I am a fairly new nursing assistant who is also in nursing school (LPN). Nurse assistants do a lot each day, running around like crazy (so do nurses of course) and our lives can be filled with negativity and stress. So I just wanted to ask, what are some moments which make you feel good about what you do?

I have a few;

First off some of my patients are so awesome! Even in extreme pain they have time to say thank you and smile!

I enjoy feeding those who cant feed themselves. Previously I hated it, I thought they would aspirate, but lately I really actually enjoy it.

I love seeing people go home in a better condition then when they got in. I do not know what they were like prior to illness, but regardless they survived and now because of the care of everyone on our floor/ in the hospital, are going home.

I enjoy the challenge of this job as well.

What do you like about your job?

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

Some of my feel good moments:

Finally being able to get a terminal cancer patient's pain under control. I couldn't believe that one of my patients was only receiving Norco 10/325 Q4H and Tramadol 50mg Q6H. They couldn't take morphine or Toradol because of allergies, but I suggested a Fentanyl patch and the hospitalist was all for it. The patient's 10/10 pain finally went down to a 1. It was my ultimate goal to just make them comfortable.

Getting a patient who has been constipated for days (now with an impending ileus) to poop.

Fixing a patient's crazy HR or labile BP.

Seeing patients get better. We have a high turnover of patients on my unit but we also have patients who will stay with us for weeks. We recently had one of those patients who was with us for 2 1/2 weeks. I had this patient each night I worked, along with another nurse (I love continuity of care!). When this patient was admitted, they were VERY sick...there for Coumadin toxicity and severe anemia. Over time I got to see this patient progress and get better until discharge and to me, that is such a joy to see as a nurse.

[CapeCodDreamer]

The population I work with is especially taxing on the body and mind, BUT...my fellow employees from management to OP/PT to NSG to security to the front desk staff are A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

[Compassion_x]

I've worked in a nursing home for a year and a half, and the residents can be really funny sometimes. I wish I could remember some examples right now. It is a hard but rewarding job. A simple "thank you" from a resident can really do a lot. I like sitting and talking with them when I have time, and taking care of them the best I can, and making sure others do. It feels good to know you've gained the trust of residents who don't trust many.