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.
Yes, a number of times. If they are really effusive, I tell them to either write a letter to my manager, or use the in-house "kudos" cards and tell them it goes into my personnel file (which is true). If they follow through, I know they meant it! Very few do. One pt's daughter told me some good things (not just personality), and I know she meant it, because the kudo card said the same things. That one felt pretty good.
....i love it! i had a family member track me down as i was standing in front of the elevator to leave. just a simple hug and thank you for the attentiveness and explaining care and the planned care! i love the education part of nursing, and always love to do pt. education while in the room rounding or while giving meds! we also have "kudo cards." i value them because it meant my pt or family member took the time to write out their appreciation of me. sometimes you can never make a pt/family member happy, but the appreciative ones make it worth it!
As pointed out previously, I'm most often a good nurse in the AM after delivering coffee to my coffee drinking patients.
Or making people comfortable. It's mostly about the physical aspects of nursing that gets me the kudos. Also my attitude of always being willing to do what I'm asked, even when I'd rather slop hogs.
When a patient tells me I'm a good nurse, it's more about them than it is about me. Thank you works just as well.
I know I already replied but I feel that having a good personality is important... Even if they are just talking about how good you are as a person.. I think that should make one feel good. This job is so stressful, it's the residents and patients who tell me they love me and are happy to see me, those people keep me going, I can't downplay it or I would go crazy lol
Yeah, I get verbal compliments sometimes, and at other times you can just tell that people (and/or their relatives) have a positive feeling about you. Although my job is stressful a lot, and these days I'm more mad at the mgt./corporation, the frequency of positive feedback beats the hell out of my first career (at least in that aspect).
Who is giving you the compliment? Is it a patient who is trying to manipulate you so he can do things that is not allowed or the patient may be thinking he/she will get more pain meds by kissing your butt. Haha. But there are those who are really appreciative. You'll know over time which praise is genuine.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
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.
A patient telling you that you're a good nurse means they like you. It does not mean that you actually do your job well. In fact, some times it means you're doing your job poorly -- giving them what they want instead of what they need.
When a patient tells me I'm doing my job well, it's nice that they like me. But since they have no idea on EARTH what my job is all about, they have no basis to know whether or not I'm doing my job well.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Who is giving you the compliment? Is it a patient who is trying to manipulate you so he can do things that is not allowed or the patient may be thinking he/she will get more pain meds by kissing your butt. Haha. But there are those who are really appreciative. You'll know over time which praise is genuine.
Unfortunately, some never learn which praise is genuine.
I've gotten that compliment a few times. Sometimes I know it's not sincere but I take it anyway because it means I'm not being insulted! Other times I know, for sure, that the person saying it appreciates the work I've done for them. I had a home hospice client who is very well-known in my community that I had the opportunity to help die at home with his wife and family by his side. His daughter later sent my manager a very kind email thanking me and our team for our work. How could I not take that as an honour?
I've had patients express that I took great care of them and they are thankful for what I've done for them. However, I am very weary about the patients who say "you're much better than nurse so and so" because they are manipulative. Luckily, I haven't had many who have said that. Lately my patients have been telling me they're thankful for me listening to them and I recently had family members thank me while caring for their loved one who was dying. The moments we are appreciated are the best. My all time favorite memory was when I was a CNA in a nursing home and I had a patient who was very sick and needed dialysis 3 times per week. I was running around ragged and none of the patients were being grateful for anything I was doing for them. He held my hand and told me "thank you so much, I will honestly never forget the care you have given me." I started crying right there because that was the first time I was appreciated as a caregiver. He has since passed but I think about him now. He has given me the strength to care and have patience with everyone I care for.
twozer0, NP
1 Article; 293 Posts
Everyday! but then again maybe thats the anesthesia talking!