What's the nicest thing a patient has done for you?

Cletus · Jul 8, 2004

Taking an iv out of a 2year old when she reached for my hand (thought she was going to bite me) she kissed my hand and said thank you. Was asked by a 5y/o if I was working the next days when told no she hugged me and cried. The supreme compliment was when one of the docs on my floor took his dying mother of the vent in ICU and had her brought to me to care for in her last moments of life.

vikki4fsu · Jul 8, 2004

The other day a patient baked me a homemade berry pie and brought it up to the floor with a really nice note saying some of the sweetest things! It made me feel so special!

Actually it wasnt the patient, He passed away after a long history of illnesses. I spent almost 24/7 with him his last 3 months. Staying in his home, so he was able to stay in his home. ( i did get to go home every 3-4 days for a few hours). After the services were done and things tried to settle back down, his brother and sister (89 & 78 yrs old) sat me down and said they wanted to do something nice for me because of all I did for their brother. I told them no, I was just happy to be part of his life. I had recently quit smoking and gained weight, so I wanted to join a gym.And go back to school.We had discussed many nights just in normal conversations of what will we do after... They paid for 2 years of Golds Gym and have presented me witha gift of Knowledge. All my schooling and books will be paid for for the next 2 years so I can try to go back to get my Nursing license. I cant even imagine the cost. But the gift of Knowledge card, had to be the most precious gift of all time. They said they wanted me to continue to benefit peoples lives, like I did for their brother. What a awesome Blessing. So wish me luck.. I will begin school hopefully this fall. Taking it slow first, Im 41 and scared to go back....Afraid I wont make it

. But Im going to try. I know I have a special guardian Angel watching over me , helping me along the way !!!

Anyone with any suggestions, Im all ears.. or eyes as the case may be! Please email me. [email protected]

hypnotic_nurse · Jul 8, 2004

When I was 21 and moving out of the house, one of my RN Mom's home-health patients gave me an iron frying pan which I still have and use to this day.

The best thing I got from one of my patients: one of my peds research patients came back in for a recheck, and when asked who her nurse was, said "The smiley one!" My coworkers are still calling me that!

dphrn · Jul 8, 2004

A sincere thank you always pulls on my heart strings.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2004

What wonderful stories. I'm getting misty over here, sniff, sniff...... :crying2:

One gift, I was given years ago by a hospice pt. It is sitting on my filing cabinet, right here where I can see it.

It is a musical plaque that says "Our hearts remember everything" on it, and it plays "As Time Goes By."

This past Valentine's Day, one of my favorite pts, a lovely woman, gave me a beautiful teacup and saucer. The card with it says "To my favorite nurse. You are the apple of God's eye, and mine too. I love you."

I'm getting even more misty just writing about it.

Priti · Aug 5, 2004

Well thats nice and touching and all but you forgot the most important part....
go home ... and not come back!
haha jk!
I've been blessed enough to take care of some truly fantastic people who have said and done some wonderful things for me. That is why I'm still where I am, for those patients
a few ones stick out
was taking care of a man and we just got along famously , between him and his roomate in the next bed I was all set, talk about stress free assignment, it sounds so hokey but its true it was a joy to take care of these 2. Anyway the first guy , upon discharge, got his wife to go get me a gift basket with hand lotions and special soaps (he had overheard me complaining to someone about the sad state of my dry hands ) , then the second patient, the one I got along so well with, got me a #1nurse keychain with my name engraved on it, he said that it would come in handy when I was going home after a bad day , to open the door and see that I really am making a difference in peoples lives.
lovely thank you letter from a patients daughter expressing that she had never met someone like me before and that I allowed her father to pass away with dignity and for her to deal with her grief successfully, that meant a lot because initially when I was dealing with palliative patients or death I dont feel I did so very well.
truth be told that the nice things that have been said to me outnumber any gifts...you know somedays are really good days :)

this is the most touching i've read these are the things that just let you love and appreciate your job - knowing that you are making a difference in someone else's life. :nurse: :saint: well done.

let me share my experience. well when i just started as a new grad i worked at a clinic and i would counsel the htn/dm extensively and at the end of a session most would tell me thanks and that i had given them useful information that would just boost my self confidence.

also as a pupil midwife i encountered a young lady who had a still birth we explained to her that her baby had died but she was in a state of denial after she delivered she gave us the clothes along with baby powder to apply to the baby; after we dressed the baby we allowed her to see the child and you know.... anyway myself and some two other pupils consoled her.

long after i got a message that someone had left me a gift. she left me a thank you card aand a bedside clock i was really touched because she said i had helped her so much while she was in labour. the thing is as nurses we just do what we are suppose to do but a kind word or small show of concern means so much to someone who's ill.

kitty29 · Aug 5, 2004

over the years I've been given such nice things, but one of the neatest was a gift cert. to a local green house. I purchased a forget-me-not plant in memories of a baby who passed away. This was almost 20 years ago, I'll never forget him or his family.

Stewie · Aug 5, 2004

i was recently working in the peds er and was having a very bad day! i was walking a 5 y/o to the restroom when the doctor stopped me at the nurses station. the little girl stopped along side me and put her arm around my waist and said, "it will be ok!" that made my day! sometimes words are greater than gifts.

CEN35 · Aug 5, 2004

send me a card, and a tray of cookies!! :-)

DANRN2000 · Aug 5, 2004

I was asked to be a pallbearer for a long time patients funeral! Felt funny at first not being a relative or close friend but it's an honor I'll treasure forever.

DANRN2000 · Aug 5, 2004

We "the ER staff" recieve a beautiful plant for our triage area each July 2nd with a simple note reading "Thanks for another great year" Love, Tony and family.

Tony coded in our ER July 2nd 1998 and lived! He has never forgotten us!

DANRN2000 · Aug 5, 2004

I also keep a memory box! Every once in a while when I'm just at my wits end with all the negative things happening in the nursing profession I open it up and read a few notes from my patients and families. It's a great anitdepressent!!!! (major side effect is a smile form ear to ear)