"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?

[Slhengy]

I hope you guys all know that the patient satisfaction surveys and Core Measures are not only tied to public reporting through Hospital Compare but also a quite a bit of money from the Federal Government. Like MILLIONS if you are a big company like HCA.

[vskwared]

In my own little, quirky way, I would like to the side say "hmmmm", "ahhm"...and say well, I don't think I have a happy pill, and I would ask if there was something I could to make them more comfortable, are they in pain? I would try to find out what their interpretation of happy is. However, I agree with all the other comments, happiness comes from within. I just would find it hard to say that to a sick patient.

[runningICURN]

This is absolutely infuriating!!! I can't stand when patients are demanding and don't even use the simplest manners. As a new nurse, I have questioned my choice in this career many times because of the sheer disrespect of patients AND their families. I never thought I wanted to do anything besides bedside nursing but am now dreaming of the day I am competent enough as an RN to go to CRNA or APRN school.

[starman50]

I have had, and will most likely in the future have, patients like this. We have a serious "entitlement syndrome" in our world these days. It isn't worth responding to some people. A tad of therapeutic communication and out the door. People who demand happiness from others didn't get that way over night and aren't going to change. Again, walk away when you can.

[POTUS]

It's my job to keep the doctors from killing you, and you're giving me second thoughts

[Nurse Michael MB]

I'm sorry but as a nurse I was under the impression that our job was to treat the patient holistically.

So many time in our profession we are overworked and drained. We have that co worker or patient that grates our nerves and just as they affect our mood so we affect the mood of the patient. Our job is not to tell the patient what they want to hear and at times our job is to do exactly the opposite yet our job includes a lot of things and yes I believe it is to keep the patient in a positive frame of mind. Half is healing is how you feel emotionally if it isn't our job to keep the patient happy to the best of our ability then who will. I have noticed that most times my attitude or support is a lot more important to the patient than the pill that is in your hand. Maybe the next time a patient says "it is your job to make me happy " you could ask yourself or the patient have I done something to make you unhappy or try to get to the root of the issue. I wonder sometimes when we took the caring out of patient care. Nurses we are the only advocate they have.

[Nurse Michael MB]

0I'm sorry but as a nurse I was under the impression that our job was to treat the patient holistically.

So many time in our profession we are overworked and drained. We have that co worker or patient that grates our nerves and just as they affect our mood so we affect the mood of the patient. Our job is not to tell the patient what they want to hear and at times our job is to do exactly the opposite yet our job includes a lot of things and yes I believe it is to keep the patient in a positive frame of mind. Half is healing is how you feel emotionally if it isn't our job to keep the patient happy to the best of our ability then who will. I have noticed that most times my attitude or support is a lot more important to the patient than the pill that is in your hand. Maybe the next time a patient says "it is your job to make me happy " you could ask yourself or the patient have I done something to make you unhappy or try to get to the root of the issue. I wonder sometimes when we took the caring out of patient care. Nurses we are the only advocate they have.

[hewert]

Here's two of the things I have learned from many years of dealing with people........

1. Never engage - defuse. This means don't continue on the track they have started. I might say "Oh honey, I want you to be happy. Can I get you anything?" The hard part is to really mean it; and I almost always do.

2. Don't take these things personally........don't fume and ruminate about this. You do not have to defend yourself. You have got to learn to let negativity go right over your head.

I've worked long and hard on these techniques, and they have never let me down or backfired on me.

Idiotic things happen every day - it is healthy to ignore them. Love is all that matters.

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

I had a patient say she was there to be pampered. Exact words.

Usually, a comment like that, or like the OP's gets then\m a blank,non descript stare, and a therapeutic "Oh,........., I see........

Ive acknowledged it, but thats about it. The less engagement, the better.

[alfa-sierra, BSN, RN]

Hear, hear!. Insightful. Kudos to you, Embassador of Good Will. We need more nurses like you.

[dee122381]

I liked a quote i once read regarding ED nurses, but it could apply to all patient care nurses:

My job is to save your ass, not kiss it!

[feelix, RN]

I would just ignore that comment and keep doing my job. There is no point in picking a philosophical argument with a patient with such a sense of entitlement. Every word you say may and will be used against you.