Have any of your patients ever told you that you're a good nurse?

[EquinoxSolstice92]

It means a lot to me when the patients themselves tell me that I'm a good nurse. That means I'm doing my job well. The first time the resident in the LTC I work at told me that was when I first started working PM. At that time, I used to work NOC shift all the time and it was my very first day working in the afternoon. The resident said, "You're a good nurse because some nurses are 3-4 hours behind."

Another patient told me that I'm a good nurse.

Despite being a thankless job sometimes, there are still some positive things about it.

How does it feel when the patients tell you you're a good (or even great) nurse? For me, it feels amazing.

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

It makes me suspicious ....are they going to ask to go outside and smoke? ...for their dilaudid "a little early"? ...for a 10th cup of pudding?

[Karou]

When a patient tells me I am a good nurse, it's not usually because of my nursing skills, but rather my people skills. I smile, listen, and comfort. Those get me more compliments than anything else.

Occasionally "you're the best nurse ever!" Is followed up by, "so and so was awful, terrible, just the worst!". Next shift I am the worst, and the current nurse is the most amazing person to walk this planet. Meaning, the patient is just really being manipulative and staff splitting.

So I don't always take it seriously. I take any compliment with a grain (or spoonful) of salt, especially if it's followed up by a comparison to another nurse.

[%D#2]

It makes my day. Makes all the hard work worth it. :)

[%D#2]

It makes me suspicious ....are they going to ask to go outside and smoke? ...for their dilaudid "a little early"? ...for a 10th cup of pudding?

I guess it depends what type of people you work with.. But I would take it as a compliment

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

There's a relevant saying: "Patients don't care what you know until they know that you care about them."

Yes, I've been told that I'm a good nurse. However, the compliment has never been based upon my proficiency, technical skills or nursing knowledge. In general, patients and families who liked my personality have made the "good nurse" comment.

The average American is a low-information consumer who reads/writes at a 6th to 8th grade level. Many of these people are our patients, but lack the analytical skills to appraise whether someone's a good clinician. Hence, they base their opinions on more concrete criteria such as a smile, an image, and personality of the nurse.

Thus, when someone says I'm a good nurse, I thank them with an attitude of gratitude for having received a compliment instead of an insult. Then I secretly take the comment with a grain of salt.

[%D#2]

There's a relevant saying: "Patients don't care what you know until they know that you care about them."

Yes, I've been told that I'm a good nurse. However, the compliment has never been based upon my proficiency, technical skills or nursing knowledge. In general, patients and families who liked my personality have made the "good nurse" comment.

The average American is a low-information consumer who reads/writes at a 6th to 8th grade level. Many of these people are our patients, but lack the analytical skills to appraise whether someone's a good clinician. Hence, they base their opinions on more concrete criteria such as a smile, an image, and personality of the nurse.

Thus, when someone says I'm a good nurse, I thank them with an attitude of gratitude for having received a compliment instead of an insult. Then I secretly take the comment with a grain of salt.

I agree that patients will say people are good nurses if they like them as a person.. But sometimes (in my experience) it has gone beyond that. I have had families and patients who were really difficult to please thank me for talking them through decisions that were difficult because they saw that the end result was in their best interest.. That takes more than a friendly personality.

I also notice that attentiveness goes a long way.. Not ignoring things.. And being very prompt with monitoring.

Don't underestimate yourselves.. When someone tells you that you are a good nurse.. It really may go beyond your personality

[ArtClassRN, ADN, RN]

Patients quite often tell me I'm a good nurse.

I don't listen to a word of it. Because inevitably, someone is going to tell me I'm a horrible nurse - and if I let those complimentary people make my day or week then I will sure as heck let the naysayers wreck it.

Be the best nurse you can; be your own best advocate and worst critic. No one needs to do that for you.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

4 times this week which I think is a record. I had a very sweet expressive aphasic man give me a kiss on the cheek because I talked to him and not over him during his visit. I normally try to duck from the kisses and do a hand shake. But I'll take it. :)

realistically though most often they are commenting on your bedside manner not necessarily skill. But I think for the most part when we take pride in our job, we have the skill to back it up.

[Farawyn]

Yes, they do.

Sometimes they want something. Sometimes they truly mean it.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I've had plenty tell me this. Often it is after I've done something simple that made a difference to them. Others have told me this when they wanted something. I've had a few tell me just how awful I am as well. Those either didn't like my employer's policies or were pissed I was holding them accountable. It's nice to know I made a difference, but I don't take it personally when I don't.

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

Yes I get this sometimes. I highly doubt how genuine these compliments are, and I disregard them all. I know I'm not Miss Congeniality, and I don't go out of my way to kiss ass. I am helpful, but I will not bend over and kiss ass. Maybe some of these compliments are sincere, but I know myself enough to know I don't connect well with people.