Gracious Patients

[bgxyrnf, MSN, RN]

We all have story after story of the patients and families who just wear us down with their attitudes and demands. I'm no different and they seem to be a growing percentage of our cases.

However, I still come across some of the most gracious people in the midst of crises.

Recently I had a 30-something lady who presented to the ED for being fatigued and weak, with intermittent abdominal pain. Thirty minutes after I drew her blood I knew why... her white count was 48,000 with a massive left shift. She and her husband, even as they were wrapping their minds around a new diagnosis of leukemia, were so gracious in their interactions with me. They never missed a "please" or a "thank you" and they prefaced every request with a, "I know you're busy but when you have a chance..." or a "You probably haven't had time yet but I could still use..."

Just a couple days ago I had another patient with a brand new diagnosis of intestinal cancer with mets to the liver who showed up febrile and in pain. Throughout the shift she smiled routinely and never missed a chance to tell us what a good job we were doing and how hard we were working... along with a quick eye-roll and tongue-cluck as another patient went off on us.

Some people just restore my faith in humanity and I appreciate them so much.

[nynursey_]

I love when this happens. It's rare but it's definitely a nice reminder of the fact that our work is essential and important.

I have had patients (and families) thank me profusely for simply doing my job. I appreciate it more than I can say but I always remind them it's not a necessity to thank me.

[Kitiger, RN]

I had 2 patients back-to-back who not only thanked me, they also wrote thank-you notes to my boss. Oh, yeah!

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

I find more patients that are kind and greatful the other way. I think though, those other patients stand out in our mind more so that's why we forget all the praise we actually do get.