"Your job is to make me happy"

[Nurse216]

I was taking care of a patient today who told me... "your job is to make me happy".

I was taken aback, but responded "my job is to make you healthy... healthy and happy, but healthy first"

I feel a bit guilty, and I feel that I shouldn't. I'm amazed that a patient would tell me that my job is to make them happy. Has anyone had an experience like this or offer any words of advice?

[Wrench Party]

This is usually met with a snort and a "Let's worry about the real job: to keep your wife happy" as I seem to get this type of comment more from guys. I don't worry about the patient, I worry about the wife!

[NotYourMamasRN]

In my head I would have responded "Thank you value based purchasing!"

[DeeAngel]

Only they are responsible for making themselves happy. I think your response was perfect.

[canigraduate]

I give them the side eye and say, "Nope, my job is to keep the docs from killing you. Have a fabulous night."

I have a deadpan face, so most patients think I'm joking.

[Sydryth, ASN, RN]

I probably would have responded with something like, "I don't know if anyone could make you happy", or something rhetorical along those lines. I would have had been in the moment to know exactly what I would have said.

[donsterRN, ASN, BSN]

I've had several people over the years attempt to tell me what my job is. I'll generally respond with "Are you a nurse"? They say "no" and I ask them how, then, do they know what my job is. I tell them that my primary responsibility is to keep them safe. Not happy, but safe. Happy is not in my job description. I'm not mean, I'm professional. It's often quite satisfying to see the expressions on their faces when they're corrected.

[NursesRmofun, ASN, RN]

While I have not had it said to me, as you have...the expectation is there, from what I see. I feel more like a waitress or concierge everyday...but I smile and deliver. Hey,...it's a job.

[NotAllWhoWandeRN, ASN, RN]

I was taking care of a patient today who told me... "your job is to make me happy".

Somebody gave them an HCAHPS survey, eh?

[imenid37]

My education must need an update. I was taught to d the right thing. It doesn't always make everyone happy.

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

That's actually a job description more befitting a manager in hospitality and, indeed, sir, that H on the building is not for 'Hilton.' People these days. I think, if someone said that to me, and it would most likely be a parent, I might respond, "Well, a hospital is a typically dangerous place for anyone, not least of which for children. My main job is to make safety a priority and to make sure that you trust me to take the best possible care of your kid as I can -- to make sure they are happy and not terrified. If you aren't happy with how I am doing that, please let me know what I can do to make sure I accomplish those goals."

Honestly, the kids I help take care of have cancer/blood disorders so, that would be a terribly strange statement coming from a parent or a patient (though, some of these teenagers..... god bless those in adolescent medicine).

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

Only they are responsible for making themselves happy. I think your response was perfect.

Indeed, the worst mistake a person can make is making others responsible for their happiness.

[chacha82, ADN, BSN]

This so much. Or a family member leaves trash and tells the patient to "push the call button as much as you need and they'll come right away. That's their job." A family member called me a "night peon" once and felt I wasn't responding soon enough. I had been in their room and explained I needed an order for what they wanted, as soon as I got it, I would get them situated. It was definitely not an emergent situation. When I'm asked when I graduated, I tell the truth and say last summer. Then they say "Great, I have a rookie."