Cried at work today

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Acute Spine, Neuro, Thoracic's, LTC.

So today was my last day at my current job in long term care. I am moving away to another city in a few days. Yes I have complained about this job on several occasions, the work load is too much, some of my co-workers **** me off etc.

However today, my last day at this facility I realized how much I will miss it. I always knew I cared a lot for my residents but today it really hit me how much I will miss them. Several of them had tears in their eyes as I hugged the goodbye. One 97 year old lady rang her call bell after I left and the care aide went in and she was crying and telling her how much she would miss me and that she wished she could give me a present. She told the care aide to tell me that she wasn't feeling well and needed to see me. When I came in she had lined up 6 of her little carved wooden ducks and told me she really wanted to give me a gift and that she wanted me to pick one of the ducks. I know we shouldn't take gifts from residents but she was so insistent and I know it would have hurt her if I hadn't. I will always remember her whenever I look at my little wooden duck :)

Then I have my 85 year old man who sits and watches movies every night. I am huge movie fan and I always make the time every night no matter how busy I am to sit and chat with him about the movie he is watching for a few mins. My heat broke tonight as he hugged and kissed me with tears in his eyes as he told me how much he would miss me .. I told him I would never forget him and I won't....

This went on with different Residents all night. They have all touched me in one way or another and I feel great satisfaction that I have touched some of them too :) Makes me feel like my job really does matter. Just breaks my heart to leave them all.

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You must be a really great nurse and great person. I wish you the best in your new abode.

Life is often sad and heartbreaking and painful. Sigh. It's just the way it is. Try to think happy thoughts.

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Great Story, I hope you find the same at your new job.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

The wonderful part of nursing is that there are patients who touch our lives and keep us whole as nurses. Because you already see this, you aren't loosing that, just nursing in a different city. Hugs, there are other patients who need caring nurses, you're not giving that up.

Happy moving day and I hope you will meet some wonderful workers and residents in your next position.

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Specializes in Corrections.

You shouldn't have taken her duck, she may have been AMS or something.

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Specializes in ER.
You shouldn't have taken her duck, she may have been AMS or something.

Take the duck! It made her happy to give it to you. Now if she'd offered you a Renoir, then perhaps you'd want to think twice.

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Specializes in Corrections.

Canadian duck theives are horrible lol

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Specializes in neuro/ortho med surge 4.

Lilac,

What a great nurse you are!! Your story has me crying. It is so easy to get attached to these little old ladies and gents. This is a reminder to me as to why I became a nurse.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

Really getting to know your patients is one of the positives of working in a long term care setting. You will be OK, though it's really hard to leave a place once you've been there awhile.

Good luck and have a safe move.

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Aww, your story was so sweet. I hope you can develop just as meaningful relationships with your next patients. Cherish those memories and look back at them when the going gets tough :) Hang in there, Lilaclover, you're a great person :hug:

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

Cherish those memories, and keep the duck somewhere that you will see it every day.

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Specializes in Cardiac ICU.

:nurse:We need more nurses like you.:nurse:

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