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

Nurses General Nursing

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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!

I've gotten homemade cookies,cakes,cards, flowers , over the years...the thing I think is the 'nicest' is when a pt tells you thank you, and how much they appreciate you, and how it makes them feel better just to know YOU are there and make them feel safe/cared about....one time that stands out is a 90plus pt a while back...I was under mega-stress @ work/home and it was taking a toll on me big time..but as we all know, we put on our "nurse face" when at work and can't let things that bother us show to our pts...I had been caring for this sweetie lady for a couple of nights, and just before I got off work one morning she told me how blessed she felt for the care and compassion I showed her..and how I would have a special place in heaven..I lost it..sat there and sobbed like a baby..I don't think she had any idea how much I NEEDED to hear that at that moment..we hugged for what was probably a few minutes, but that few minutes helped more than any " gift " ever could :)

Thanks for posting this question. there have been so many REALLY special patients over the years!! Today has been an absolutely horrible day and taking the few minutes to think back over the nicest things has been a blessing!!!

I think my most treasured memory is the little lady who spoke no English at the nursing home I worked in. I was 17. Did her hair in french braids every time I worked -- she would smile a mile wide and gush in Italian. The evening she died, I brushed her hair -- didn't braid it because she couldn't sit up long enough -- my shift ended and I went to say good night -- held her hand as she died -- her only daughter held the other hand -- she whispered something in Italian shortly before she passed on When she was gone, the daughter told me that what she had wispered was a prayer --thanking God for her "two daughters" and asking Him to comfort and bless our lives. Estella and I are still close -- write frequently and visit when we are in town at the same time. I will never forget how "momma" shared her daughter with me

Any way....

Thanks again for giving me a chance to pull away from all the @%%$ that is going on today and reminding me of the many beautiful moments nursing has given me. I needed that!!!

I have a memory box too! It's filled with cards and notes. I've received lots of little nursing statue type things, hand made potholders and the towels that hang from the stove or frig handle. Lots of little things. Candles, lotions, candy and fruit. Really hard to pick one out. I get the warm fuzzies from all of them. I quess I received a cross with a necklace would be the one I might choose. Not expensive but very sweet.

Specializes in Hey I'm now an RN!!.

told me i felt like family to her...she told me i kept her mom's mind off of her terminal cancer, if only for a few minutes.

i guess that's the thing about working on an onc unit, people are in and out and some have longer stays, you get to know them all.

i get christmas cards in the mail from a man whose wife died 6 years ago. he never forgets me.

[color=#ff8c00]i have an angel in my curio from a woman that passed 5 years ago, she wrote me the sweetest note on a napkin and it sits under the angel. i look at it when i need a pick me up.

i feel that i am so fortunate to be able to work with these people. they truly make me feel like i can help them, even if at this point i can just get a laugh out of them.

There Are Many Things I Treasure But Two Are Special:1] An Elderly Man Was Dying And His Wife And Lodger Were With Him On Admission. I Spent Quite A Long Time Through The Night With Him And He Succumbed As The Morning Dawned. Several Years Later The Young Woman Who Had Been The Old Couple's Lodger Appeared As A Student Nurse On Our Medical Unit.she Told Me That The Kindness And Caring I Had Shown Them That Night Caused Her To Change Her Career Path And Become An Rn.that Was 15 Years Ago And We Are Still Fast Friends. That Was Better Than Any Tangible Gift.

2]a Young Man,newly Diagnosed With Aids Was Admitted With Pc Pneumonia.none Of His Family Knew He Was Gay Let Alone Had Aids.his Family Were Obviously Stunned Especially His Elderly Mother. I Spent A Lot Of Time With Her And After His Death We Continue To Correspond. She Calls Me Her Angel Nurse And Blesses Me For The Kindness I Showed All Her Family. Once Again Not A Tangible Gift But A Great One Just The Same.

My Memory Box Contains Many Little Treasures,each And Every One A Remembrance Of All Those'special' Patients

Hi! I had a patient's mother give me a piece of Chess cake. Poor lady had a husband on one floor and a son on another, but she was really sweet. I also had a pt and his wife offer to have their friend (who owns a restaurant) bring Mexican food for lunch the next day.

I had a resident say he was going to vote for me for employee of the month just for going to get him a cup of coffee, and a pain med. and went on and on about how nice I was for doing it........that was just too cute for me

I had a homecare pt give me some iris's from her home and I planted them. Every year when they come up they remind me of her. Another pt gave me a plastic cup and saucer with a message to "Drink a cup of tea and eat cookie when you need a little break" I had just had my third baby and was stressed. It wasn't an expensive gift by any means, but the thought really counted! It's funny how much your pts can give back without realizing it!

Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
when a patient ask for you by name and greets you with a hug and a smile.

hey girlfriend! ccu-rn!!! you go girlfriend! congrats on your rn status! i've not been on the board in awhile, so didn't know how things were going with you. shoot me an email or "pm" me and catch me up on the latest with you. anyway, just wanted to congratulate you and say hello! :balloons:

One patient ordered me a Pizza and had it delivered to the hospital, l thought that was really nice.

A month ago a 85yrs old patient made me a red feather wool scarf :) :)

Specializes in 6 years of ER fun, med/surg, blah, blah.

When I worked on the Med/Surg floor a guy we had treated 2 weeks before for either an appy or GB removal, brought us in a roasted turkey, with stuffing, potatoes & a pie. He said, "You guys were really nice to me when I was in here & I appreciated it." We really appreciated his gift too, but told him, "That's what we're here for.":mad:

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I really appreciate the hugs and yes, addressing me by name tells me I mean something to them. I have received thank yous and nice little gifts many times through the years...I have many memories and souvenirs of wonderful patients I have cared for----when I feel down or like I want to quit, I take some of these out and remember that I did make a difference in some lives.

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