what do you say when thanked?

[NurseNature]

I am not yet a nurse; although I can't wait to be a real live nurse! So... what do you say when you are thanked for caring for someone when you enjoy it so much and are being payed to do so? I have been thanked a lot lately for my actions as an in-law passed and I do not feel I did anything special. I cared for her the same as everyone else did. I feel very awkward being thanked for what I supposedly did for her and everyone else. I am now thinking that in this profession we will be thanked often, hopefully anyhow. So... what do you say? I can't say you're welcome b/c it just doesn't feel right. I am doing what I feel needs to be done or is right at the moment. I have never been good with compliments, but it just feels wrong to say thank you for helping someone be comfortable while dying. How do you all handle all the thank you's in all different situations?

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

In the first example: Thank you, she was a lovely and loving lady wasn't she. I shall miss her

Thanks for closing my door: Oh, you are welcome.

Thanks for bringing donuts: Hey, you get to bring them next time, thanks.

It's going to depend on the circumstances.

Sometimes I reply Thank YOU!

[bethin]

I usually say "your welcome, I really enjoyed taking care of X." I then quickly change the subject to things such as: the pt's kids, grandkids, life story, etc. I don't like the thank you's either because I feel that it is my responsibility to provide great care. It's nice to hear, but then you have to respond.

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

How about , it's been my pleasure? Then da dee da dee,etc.?

[BookwormRN]

"You are very welcome, it has been my pleasure." is appropriate. You are receiving a compliment; I have been taught to accept it graciously. Otherwise, you are negating the persons sentiment.

There is nothing wrong with being thanked for a job well done or going above and beyond. This includes caring for family or your patients on the job.

[Boston-RN, RN]

The other posters nailed it already.....not too many options

And remember those thank yous when you have a rough day and feel unappreciated.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I usually say "It's been my pleasure to take care of you......."

Nothing wrong with "you're welcome" either in my opinion.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

You're welcome is still a nice response.

My pleasure.

Thank you for saying that. I appreciate your comment.

[heathIam, RN]

'You're welcome' is a perfectly appropriate response to being thanked for doing your job. As indicated, to NOT acknowledge their thanks is to negate it and to diminish their gratitude. When a someone dies the family are often caught by some small act that they consider a special kindness and that they feel made a difference to their loved one as they lay dying.

You're welcome and Thanks are used far too little in our world these days

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree with the other posters. There is nothing wrong with saying "You're welcome." I often add something like, "I'm glad I was able to help," and move on to a new topic.

[rn/writer, RN]

"You're welcome," and, "My pleasure," are good phrases. Acknowledge their gratitude, not because you have a big head and are looking for compliments, but because they are offering you the only thing of value nurses are generally allowed to accept--their appreciation--and to reject it or downplay it or in some other way diminish it robs them of that joy. Graciously receive their gift of thanks.

Other handy phrases:

I'm glad I was able to help.

I enjoyed taking care of you.

You were [or your loved one was] a joy to take care of.

Thank you for saying such kind words.

It means a lot to me to know I was able to help you.

---------

It might help if you understand that it isn't just what you did, but how you did it that people want to thank you for.

If you still have difficulty accepting gratitude, might want to talk to someone you trust and consider whether or not you have some self-worth issues. True humility is being able to accept not only the negatives about ourselves, but the positives as well.

I wish you the best.

[Ms Kylee]

"You're welcome. I've enjoyed taking care of you and I wish you well' (When they're being discharged).

To family: "You're welcome. I loved taking care of your _____. He/She was a joy and a pleasure to take care of, and it was nice to get to know his/her family too." (Yes, I do use this on patient's families who have been difficult too).

When they're embarrassed about something. "Your welcome" and change the subject. If they keep it up, I'll say something along the line of "Things are different when you're sick. It happens a lot and it's ok. I'm just glad I could help you today."