Have you worked with a GOAT in healthcare?

Updated:   Published

have-you-worked-with-top-notch-goat-person.jpg.4fdd23bbcf174327fd34b1db2337108b.jpg

Even administration. Tell about the one CNA or RN that you worked with that was top-notch? What made them stand out and has anyone come close?

A little break from the rant threads.

5 hours ago, ikarus01 said:

I asked the secretary, who is that? And says, that's the nursing director. What?

What the what?!?!

No prank cameras jumped out.

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

I've worked with a ton of great nurses, three of whom immediately came to mind when I clicked on this thread. The first was a nurse who precepted me at my very first nursing job. She was so freaking smart, and in a way where she wanted to share it with you and let you in on it. She was a great preceptor, and even months after I was off orientation she'd pull me, and whoever else wanted to learn, into rooms sometimes to show us stuff like uremic frost and other things we wouldn't necessarily know or encounter a lot. Very friendly, very welcoming, and so. freaking. smart. I try to emulate her whenever I precept now, because I always hope to make my orientees feel how she made me feel - like there's a lot to learn and I'm entirely capable of it.

Another nurse at the same job was just a total badass. She was sooooo soft-spoken, but could put any nasty coworker or unruly patient or family in their place without raising her voice in the slightest. A boss at wound care. She chose to work 3 to 11 but would occasionally change it up if nights were short; she was always ready to help us out so we wouldn't drown. (I also adore this particular nurse because when I left this job, she gave me a very sweet card with a gift card to Starbucks. She told me, "Take him out for coffee," referring to the evening/night receptionist we both worked with. We'd been secretly dating pretty much since I'd started working there, and it was so funny to get called out about it in the nicest way possible like that.)

The last was a nurse at my first med-surg job. She was a psych nurse at heart and honestly a little crazy, LOL - but a great nurse and so, so friendly. She was so kind to me, someone I could be real with about insecurities, questions, etc., because she was also very genuine and authentic. I always knew that we'd have a great shift when I worked with her; she was pretty much indefatigable. And OMG, we just had so much fun working together; great sense of humor. I wish we'd kept in touch after she left; it feels like it would be weird to reach out now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in informatics for 10 years.
22 hours ago, DesiDani said:

What the what?!?!

No prank cameras jumped out.

hahaha! Definitely not. But I still remember that shift so clearly because it really "shocked" me. That director always wore scrubs when I went to that floor. Don't think I ever saw another nursing director like that on the floors. Most were nicely dressed and only came to run somebody under the bus! ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med/Surg, ICU Stepdown.
15 hours ago, NightNerd said:

it feels like it would be weird to reach out now.

Maybe she's thinking the same thing! I'm always afraid to reach out to people after time has passed, but when someone reaches out to me I'm happy to hear from them. Maybe we all fear rejection. Anyway I loved the descriptions of your 3 superstar nurses. It shows how many ways there are to be a great nurse!

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I haven't met the "perfect" example like many of you have wrote before me ( love reading them!) but I must say I am so lucky to have my first line supervisor. She has all our ( RN's) backs and will instantly squash any rude or demeaning MD that happens to glance our way. Anyone who gives any unnecessary rudeness or disrespect is immediately confronted and it is simply not tolerated. It sounds funny to type out loud but she protects us like we are her children. This makes our floor feel safe and gives us confidence to stand up for ourselves or our patients when needed.

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×

"I worked with a nurse who was the nicest, calmest, most helpful person I've ever met, not exaggerating. He maintained a positive attitude throughout the worst of the pandemic. I think I heard him ask "Do you need any help?" about 100 times a shift. He was also a PICC nurse and would run all around the hospital doing ultrasound IVs, and trained in martial arts so very fit and always volunteered to help with turning patients, pushing beds, etc."

Did this nurse have his own patients?? (I am picturing him karate chopping around the hospital). ? 

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×

"I am so lucky to have my first line supervisor. She has all our ( RN's) backs and will instantly squash any rude or demeaning MD that happens to glance our way. Anyone who gives any unnecessary rudeness or disrespect is immediately confronted and it is simply not tolerated".

CaliRN2019 I'm very jealous. I've never had the experience of a supervisor having my back at work.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB.

A nurse's aide I worked on med/surg with was truly a GOAT.  The best example of this that still sticks in my brain, is when I was taking care of a very sick elderly woman who needed pretty much total care.  I'd just gotten into her room and dealt with some other matters when I noticed how chapped her lips were.  The words "I'm going to go get some Vaseline for your lips" were literally on the tip of my tongue, when said nurse's aide came in the door with Vaseline.  I lost touch with her but I will always remember her kindness, strong worth ethic, and good humor.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I observed a nurse who I thought was outstanding:  Extraordinarily positive attitude; very professional; happy; congenial; energetic; helpful to co-workers and patients/family members; dealing with difficult, complicated clinical situations quickly and easily, making what they were doing look easy when it required many years of experience (which they had).  A shining star of a role model nurse.  This nurse was running rings around all the staff, some of whom appeared to be awestruck at what they were witnessing.  

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med/Surg, ICU Stepdown.
11 hours ago, 2BS Nurse said:

Did this nurse have his own patients?? (I am picturing him karate chopping around the hospital). ? 

He was usually charge! LOL karate chopping ? The only flaw I can think of is that his scrub pants were usually a little too short. Another nurse always teased him by asking if he was worried a flood was coming, but I don't think he understood it was a joke. He always just politely replied that he hadn't heard about a flood and he hoped the weather stayed good!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
3 hours ago, LibraNurse27 said:

He always just politely replied that he hadn't heard about a flood and he hoped the weather stayed good!

Talk about straight and narrow.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I come to work everyday with the intention to be a GOAT. Within 2hrs I turn into an annoyed billy goat with an attitude.

But I DO have the goal. 

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion