how do you handle compliments

[galenight, BSN, RN]

How do you all handle compliments? Sometimes people will come up to me and say, "I admire your profession", or "I think nurses are such special people", or "There's a special place in heaven for nurses". And other comments like that. Sometimes I say that we just have stronger stomachs than everyone else.. to make light of it. It kinda makes me uncomfortable, or like an imposter. I think I feel that way mostly because I love what I do and it feels like a privlege to be allowed to do it. I do think I accept compliments graciously by saying thank you. What about everyone else?

[Danielle4]

I am sorry. I am one of those people that usually gives those kind of comments.

It is just really neat I do admire many of all of the nurses here and reading this website has really inspired me to go to nursing school myself. I know you care if you are on this forum and a good nurse always cares.

I do not think people would tell you that if you were not such a good nurse. so, if people give you compliments you should smile and accept them with pride because you are good at what you do. (otherwise they would not have said it...people do not have to say anything.)

I would be proud of your profession it is a very unselffish profession. The people that do give these comments do truly admire you they are not trying to affend you or make you feel like an imposter. I can tell you I am truly one of them. I admire many nurses. I am totally inspired as i said by some of the things that are talked about on here.

There are so many great nurses. I totally love this website!

-Danielle

[mattcastens]

I usually just say, "Thanks! That's nice to hear."

[mtgirl63]

I appreciate the compliments, it's always nice to feel appreciated and actually have someone say so!!! I simply say a "thank you" and that I love what I'm doing. I have one resident that often tells me I'm one of her favorites and that she misses me on my days off --- I thank her and tell her that it means alot to me that she feels that way --- and it does!!

[Agnus]

Originally posted by galenight

How do you all handle compliments? Sometimes people will come up to me and say, "I admire your profession", or "I think nurses are such special people", or "There's a special place in heaven for nurses". And other comments like that. Sometimes I say that we just have stronger stomachs than everyone else.. to make light of it. It kinda makes me uncomfortable, or like an imposter. I think I feel that way mostly because I love what I do and it feels like a privlege to be allowed to do it. I do think I accept compliments graciously by saying thank you. What about everyone else?

Try telling them what you just told us. "I love what I do and it feels like a privlege to be allowed to do it."

I say thank you. That is nice to hear. It's my pleasure. etc. what ever seems to fit, but always thank you.

[KRVRN, BSN, RN]

I agree... I just say, why thank you. Sometimes I also add that I love my job.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Guess my paranoia is showing,......I read that as COMPLAINT....and almost answered "I answer softly and with a big stick!"

Wow I don't know. Somedays I would say "thank you ." Some days I would want to say, "don't kid yourself.......nursing nowdays is hell."

Mostly though a nice "Thank you."

[nana kathy]

When someone says, "That is so nice of you" : I really enjoy saying "I only do nice things for nice people". This puts the compliment back to my great residents I work for at a personal care facility. Their faces light up and makes our day go much happier for both of us.

I am glad to see this thread being so uplifting. All health care service people should be proud to be serving. Some days I know we ask ourselves WHY ?$%^%$?/???? But bottom line is we care. Have a GREAT DAY...... Nana Kathy

[nurs4kids]

The hardest "compliment" for me to handle is the, "It's must take someone REALLY special to work with kids. I really admire what you do. How do you do it?" This has always been hard for me to answer because I do not find it difficult; I find it awesome. After much reading on this bb, though, my answer now comes easily. I simply reply, "Nursing in general takes a love of people and a desire to help. The pediatric part is easy for me because kids are precious and innocent. I can't imagine working with adults. So, to me, it takes someone special to work with adults..".

Perhaps we should start saying something like, "well, after working 12hr shifts elbow deep in body fluids, for a pathetic salary..you're right, it DOES take someone special!" lol Okay, I'm just being sarcastic. I love nursing.