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Hi,
I am a new nurse, have been at my job a couple of months.
When I first started out, I was pretty nervous and was not that comfortable talking with the patients. Now that I've been there a while I am really comfortable and relaxed with talking to them. I want to make sure that I am professional in everything I say, and don't get "too relaxed."
The thing is, I really enjoy all my patients, and when I discharge them I am hoping that things will go well for them. I'm not sure if I should express that or not.
So I need your guidance and feedback on the following:
1) Is it ok (When discharging) to say something like "I hope everything goes well for you" or "Best wishes to you" ? I'm expressing what I feel, but I don't know if it's professional to say that or not.
2) Is it ok to say something like "I enjoyed working with you" . I guess I have the urge to say it because I really do enjoy working with all my patients, even the angry ones, because it seems you can always see the good in them and understand they have a reason to be angry. But again, I don't want to say it if it's unprofessional.
So what do you all think? Thanks in advance.
I always tell my patients that it was a great experience taking care of them, I hope they have gained something from their stay, I wish them all the best in their journey, and remind them that if they need us again they should not hesitate to return.
Depending on the relationship I have with the patient, I may also add that I hope I don't see them again, at least not on the other side of the nurses' station desk :) The frequent flyers get a kick out of that...but again, that's a judgment call. If I'm at all uncertain how it'll be received, I don't say it.
Yes, it is ok to say something like that; it shows the human/sensitive side of you.
I usually say "take care of yourself" or "best wishes". "It was my pleasure taking care of you" or ..."being your nurse".
I have heard patient's not liking or even feel insulted when some nurses on admission (trying to break the ice or who knows why) will say "oh, you are back..werent you just here"?
nurseprnRN, BSN, RN
1 Article; 5,116 Posts
i laugh and say they can send the check made out to the (speaking very slowly and distinctly) "grntea bermuda fund" and after they laugh, i thank them and tell them they can always write a note to the nurse manager telling them that we took good care of them.