Maybe as a tag-along to the thread that has people in a twist over whether or not nurses are being positive enough, or too negative, or whatever, we could try for something a little upbeat.
What has happened to you (or someone else?) at work that made you GLAD that you were there that day? Did you feel you made a difference?
I recently had a patient who had diverticulitis and was facing a bowel resection and somehow no one had either explained to him what to expect or he hadn't been able to hear it. At any rate, when I got him he was scared to death what was going to happen to him, whether he'd be able to eat/poop normally again. Somehow he got the idea he'd need a colostomy, and that freaked him out unnecessarily.
I spent all of fifteen minutes with him initially and watched this fella change from freaked out to calm, once he realized the why's and wherefore's. I then checked on him and let him talk when he needed. I got him after surgery, too, and while most of the time people never even give a cursory "thank you", this man made me feel like a million bucks! He thanked me for taking the time to talk to him and apologized for being "a baby". Oh, man, he wasn't a baby at all, just a human being who needed another human (who happened to have a medical clue) to calm him down.
I felt proud to be a nurse when I left for a couple of days :)
This may seem like an odd "good thing" but ... I got a mother to go home for the first time! Today marked a week after her daughter's near drowning, and although she lives about 10 minutes from the hospital, she hasn't yet left the kid's side. She's only seen her other 2 kids in little bursts of time when the grandma brings them to the waiting room to visit (she doesn't want them to see their sister until she's extubated, and goodness knows when that'll be). Somehow, over the last 2 days, she decided to trust me, and left for a few hours to go home, shower, take a nap and be with her other kids. It was incredibly satisfying to know that she finally felt okay leaving her baby with someone.
Before I left, she took my hand, and I will never forget what she said:"Don't ever change. Stay the caring gentle nurse that you are right now." I told her I would do my best. Certainly over the years I have changed. I have to change to meet the ever changing needs of nursing. Thank God I haven't stopped caring. I know that hasn't changed. I guess that means I have kept my promise to that wonderful lady.
What a wonderful topic this is. I love positive stuff!
I've only just graduated a year ago, but already I see signs of that burnout in myself from time to time, frustrations coming to the surface, and have to keep reminding myself of all the reasons why I won't become "one of those" nurses who should have done everyone a favor and retired years ago. This is a trying profession, but one I am so honored to be a member of!
This may seem like an odd "good thing" but ... I got a mother to go home for the first time! Today marked a week after her daughter's near drowning, and although she lives about 10 minutes from the hospital, she hasn't yet left the kid's side. She's only seen her other 2 kids in little bursts of time when the grandma brings them to the waiting room to visit (she doesn't want them to see their sister until she's extubated, and goodness knows when that'll be). Somehow, over the last 2 days, she decided to trust me, and left for a few hours to go home, shower, take a nap and be with her other kids. It was incredibly satisfying to know that she finally felt okay leaving her baby with someone.
AliRae, this was a GREAT "good thing" :)
Knowing someone trusts you with their hospitalized child, that YOU will be there and therefore they can leave for awhile...what a wonderful compliment to your nursing!
Lots of great stories! Actually something good happened to me this week. I was working Tuesday, and I had a patient..very nice lady but could be demanding and her family was even more demanding. Anyways I took care of her when she needed to use the bedpan. So I put her on the bedpan, gave her a a few minutes, and when she was finished, I found that a little stool had gotten on the pad (partially my fault since I guess I didn't put the bedpan close enough..she was kind of hard to turn). Anyways I told her I needed to change the pad and she kept apologizing and I was like no don't be sorry..I'm used to it (and really I am! I don't mind). So I go and clean her up really good and change the pad. After I was done, she looked at me and said "Thank you very very much. For all that you do, saying thank you is not enough." That made me feel good inside and I told her it wasn't a problem at all, and that I appreciated her gratitude. I mentioned that not many patients are and that I was very appreciative of her gratitude. Then she responds with, "what are they stupid??!!!" Hahaha broke out laughing, but it made me feel so good inside that I had made some difference in this patient's life. I had her the next two shifts and the family was happy that I was her nurse again. I actually had her yesterday as well. She was due for surgery yesterday for a calcanectomy and the daughter was there with her. She was an add on for the surgery so there wasn't a set time yet. So I explained to the daughter and patient that I would keep checking back. They were thankful for that. When I finally got a time for when she was due for surgery, I let the daughter and patient know and they were so grateful I went to check back with them. When she was finally on call, I went to take her vital signs and get her ready, the clinical nurse specialist was in the room, to check on PICC dressings- I had changed it early that morning and she said in front of the patient that I had done a really great dressing. That made me happy. The daughter then mentioned that I was a very good nurse and that they could tell how compassionate and friendly I was. The CNS said "I know" with a smile and that I had really blossomed since I started working there. I just felt so good that day...it really made my day. This is what helps keep me going, and glad that I have chosen this profession.
Recently, a young man came in to our office with c/o abd pain. The doc did her assessment and then wanted to send him for a CT. As we walked out of the exam room, I asked the doc, why not do an h-pylori first? She agreed, it was positive.
It made me feel good that I saved this guy a couple hundred $, and get him the help he really needed.
This may seem like an odd "good thing" but ... I got a mother to go home for the first time! Today marked a week after her daughter's near drowning, and although she lives about 10 minutes from the hospital, she hasn't yet left the kid's side. She's only seen her other 2 kids in little bursts of time when the grandma brings them to the waiting room to visit (she doesn't want them to see their sister until she's extubated, and goodness knows when that'll be). Somehow, over the last 2 days, she decided to trust me, and left for a few hours to go home, shower, take a nap and be with her other kids. It was incredibly satisfying to know that she finally felt okay leaving her baby with someone.
Well, I just have to share again! I called the floor today because I was going to go visit that kiddo, and she went home on Sunday! Walking, talking, laughing, totally fine. I LOVE when we make a real, tangible difference in a life.
I'm a unit coordinator on a peds/gyn surgery floor. Every once in awhile I get to hold our little patients when moms need a break (or parents don't stay with the kids). Tonight I got to hold the most adorable little peanut. :chuckle Poor mom hadn't even had a chance to get dinner or a bathroom break for hours waiting in ER. It always makes me so happy to hold the little ones since my kids are almost grown. I wrapped her in a warm blankie and snuggled her while mom got a bite to eat downstairs and it was the absolute BEST!
As a psych nurse we rarely see what happens to our patients and families. I worked with a 10yr old boy for 6 months who had been severely abused physically and sexually. Whe he was 18yo he returned to our hospital and asked to talk to me. He told me how our relationship and his experience at our hospital was the only thing that helped him through his life. He was currently enrolled in college with a 4.0 and had a positive outlook on his future. Can we ask for more. I cried and hugged him. This keeps me going day after day.
Well, I just have to share again! I called the floor today because I was going to go visit that kiddo, and she went home on Sunday! Walking, talking, laughing, totally fine. I LOVE when we make a real, tangible difference in a life.
I had a pt about 7-8 years ago that had a GSW to the head. Everyone had given up on him. I would talk to him while doing his care, and had his wife and parents help me with him (he was 25). To make a long story short, he started coming around. 4 months after the incident, he was being discharged home. To this day, whenever I see him, his wife or his parents out, they all come up to me and give me a hug and tell me if it wasn't for me, he wouldn't be here today. Of course I tell them that it wasn't me, it was God that pulled him through!!! (Oh, and the first time his wife hugged me in front of MY wife, that took a lot of 'splaining!!!!!!) Now THAT will make you proud to be a nurse!!!!
AliRae
421 Posts
This may seem like an odd "good thing" but ... I got a mother to go home for the first time! Today marked a week after her daughter's near drowning, and although she lives about 10 minutes from the hospital, she hasn't yet left the kid's side. She's only seen her other 2 kids in little bursts of time when the grandma brings them to the waiting room to visit (she doesn't want them to see their sister until she's extubated, and goodness knows when that'll be). Somehow, over the last 2 days, she decided to trust me, and left for a few hours to go home, shower, take a nap and be with her other kids. It was incredibly satisfying to know that she finally felt okay leaving her baby with someone.