Where's my thank-you card?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

I feel a little silly writing this, but I want to hear from other nurses and maybe you can shed some light on this. Ok..I feel a little stupid but here goes...I work in a small hospital as a labor and delivery nurse. Although, as everyone knows the 3-11 shift can be crazy busy, I do my best to give great care and anticipate needs before the patient even asks. I'm not going to go on a brag fest but I think I'm a good nurse with a good attitude...well...I'm starting to question if there is something that I'm doing wrong. Another nurse that I work with (we work the same shift and have similar schedules) is CONSTANTLY getting gifts of gratitude from her patients...At least once a week a former patient of hers comes back to the unit with a "goodie basket" or flowers or a card thanking her for her for the care she gave. Of course she shows me the card and I tell her, hey..."her name" that's great! I'm not jealous, but I'm starting to wonder if there is something that I'm doing wrong that I'm not having this kind of connection with my patients. At first I just blew it off. But now it's starting to mess with my head a little. Hey...sometimes after I've given all I can give, I don't even get a thank-you..much less a card. I used to think that just knowing I gave the best care I could give and knowing for myself that I did a good job was enough....and most of the time it is.

I know we all didn't go into nursing for thank you cards, I think it started when patients became clients and hospitals became "hotels".

I go home knowing I did the best job I could do, kept my patients safe...

But it is nice to be recognized for it once in awhile.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I have learned my coworkers appreciate thankyou's from me. I thank everyone at the end of the shift, and at the end of a particularly-trying shift, I hug those coworkers who are comfortable with it. You would be surprised what saying "it was so nice to work with you today" and a hug or a cookie/treat can do for your coworkers. We are so slow to recognize EACH OTHER and that should not be! We should bolster each other, too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have read many of the posts and find value in all. I am an "older" new nurse and have received many letters during my time in the ER-I have also had former patients track me down to give me goodies which I share with the entire staff. I have had negative comments from old time staff which started when I was still being precepted that "sure I had time to be nice" to now "she is still slow and spends too much time with her patients" I IGNORE THEM ALL....I try to be attentive to all patient's equally-I was in business for years and can spot the potential "trouble families" a mile away. Spending 5 extra minutes with them in the beginning-saves so much time in the end! That's my secret-the same patients who can make your life a living hell-are usually my letter writers. They are motivated! The other thing is I find people usually don't want to wait-I keep them notified, they know where the pantry, linen cart, water is and are usually happy. To me-having a patient come back and hug me and tell me I made a difference when they were having an MI or any other illness is why I am in this business. I feel great everyday! It's my patient's who make it that way. Also, some of the cranky old timers (not necessarily old in age) have been coming around-saying hello to their peers and smiling more. We have to be at work-we don't have to be miserable. We are in charge of our environment and our patients definately can feel our vibes-maybe the nurses who get more mail smile more.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A veteran nurse on our unit gets a relatively large amount of positive feedback from her patients. It perplexed us all for a long time; that is, until one shift when a coworker overheard her (for what can only be called) coaching her patient on how to give positive feedback. She was providing phone numbers and addresses and who knows what else to the patient. Now, with all due fairness, if the patient felt this nurse was doing a poor job, I don't think this tactic would succeed. But it sure wasn't hurting this (in my opinion, mediocre at best) nurse from receiving a large portion of the unit's positive feedback.

For me, doing a good, even excellent job, is THE job. I try to do my very best and be as kind and caring as I am able. I believe this is what nursing is about. I have had patients profess their gratitude. I have seen sad and sick patients smile. I have watched them get better. To encourage them to make phone calls or write letters goes against the spirit that drives me. I do it because I want to do it. And I do it well because that's the only way it should be done. I am motivated internally by excellence. That is the reward.

To be recognized is certainly gravy. But never the main course. So I don't need a thank you card. I appreciate it but I don't expect it. My patient's return to health or even having a moment of "better-ness" is my dessert.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I see how that is possible. I work in a rehab unit and though busier than I can handle, I occassionally spend a little more than enough times with some patients. I have noticed that the ones I have spent more time with (after my "nursing-them time") kind of like me more that the ones I haven't spent that extra time with. Humans are social beings and enjoy a little friendly company in times of stress (like hospitalization) so they naturally would prefer the one who "hungs out more" . Lets face it, the one who manages to "hung out" as much as you seem to say , has to be the one who doesn't work enough!!

As for you, Kind-heart, it's unfortunate that the pts don't stay long enough to know who is the real gem!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know exactly how you feel. I was just thinking why not me just the other day. There is one particular nurse that I work with that went to the same college as myself and graduated a few months ahead of me. Has NO, I mean No personality and has gotten a gift card because some patient mentioned her name . Here I am, giving 110% to my patients and they always tell me, "you're the best nurse I had so far, blah, blah, blah..."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in N/A.

I think what we are talking about here is the misunderstanding/ignorance of the "Amiable" social style. NOT personality, but rather social style!

http://www.hearingreview.com/issues/articles/2007-11_05.asp

Here are a few tips from me:

1. Learn what style you are

2. Don't try to be a style other then your own (be yourself)

3. Learn what style your patient is

4. Do something to accomodate their preferences

5. Never think that all patients should be treated equal

6. Never treat a patient a certain way just because that is the way you would like to be treated.

7. Treat patients like they want to be treated!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment