The Good Moments

[CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN]

There are some crazy stressful days at work. How about some of those small things during shifts that make up for it?

Was with a patient who said "She's much better than that other nurse who just ripped off the bandage, she took her time".. when speaking to his wife (with us in the room).

The patient (a generally demanding patient) who spoke to her (other demanding patient) about me and told her to relax because *I* was her nurse, and would take care of her (which generally means bringing pain medication "on time"), etc. ?

I know it is getting personal satisfaction from other people saying things, rather than internal, but still makes me happy some days. 

[LibraNurse27, BSN, RN]

I did feel happy getting compliments and gratitude from patients, and also internal satisfaction for doing a good wound change, starting a difficult IV, smooth NGT insertion, etc. Even if pt was confused or ungrateful I still felt good about it. Connecting with patients emotionally was great, and helping hospice patients and their families accept and appreciate a peaceful death. Also getting everything done on time on a super busy day.

Then there were the days of overwhelm, meds late, violent patients, going crazy with the ultrasound missing veins on a pt who critically needed an IV... ahhhh! still have nightmares. I hope that for you and most bedside nurses the good moments outweigh the bad! Thank you for what you do = )

[sevensonnets]

I love it when a patient says "I'm so glad you're here today. I feel safe with you." Makes me glad to see them too!"

[SilverBells, BSN]

One of the things I can think of was when one of my patients decided my nickname should be "Butterfly."  She called me "Butterfly" every time she saw me.  ?

[Davey Do]

5 hours ago, CalicoKitty said:

I know it is getting personal satisfaction from other people saying things, rather than internal, but still makes me happy some days. 

[CharleeFoxtrot, BSN, RN]

15 hours ago, LibraNurse27 said:

I did feel happy getting compliments and gratitude from patients...

 

I've moved away from a bedside position, and work with patients by phone. It totally makes my day to get those little compliments, especially from the more difficult patients.

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

A couple good moments recently:

-Advocated for a patient and family who chose comfort care. Patient had advanced dementia, was declining, had pulled out some IVs, and docs wanted to restrain her and give IVF, dextrose, etc. I discussed what the docs wanted with her decision maker and told her that if she had strong feelings either way I would respect them. She then very clearly stated to all involved that she only wanted to keep her family member comfortable at this point - so that's what I've been able to do. I just sent the patient to hospice care and she looked so peaceful, and her family was so grateful to all the nurses who truly listened to what they wanted instead of doing everything by the book.

- Had a patient who is a famously hard stick *insist* that I could get her blood when doc ordered some labs she forgot earlier. I nailed it first try and patient was delighted! (She kept telling me I was the only one who could get her in the past, which is odd because I'm positive I've never drawn blood from her before. But I'll take the ego boost!)

[SmilingBluEyes]

My best moment of recent times has been helping complete Covid vaccination for 110 of our patients. That was a joy for me, even if it was on a day I normally would have had off.

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

Just now, SmilingBluEyes said:

My best moment of recent times has been helping complete Covid vaccination for 110 of our patients. That was a joy for me, even if it was on a day I normally would have had.

Giving COVID vaccines is soooo uplifting! It feels great doing something that will hopefully help end this nonsense (or at least slow it down)! And people are so grateful and happy when they receive it, which is nice.

[ppfd, BSN, EMT-P]

Smile on my face/

Clocking out 

Payday. 

[guest1163268]

On 4/3/2021 at 5:53 PM, Davey Do said:

I don't know about you Davey but you are a psych nurse and I mostly work Psych or Sub Abuse. If a patient brandished compliments, I would be immediately suspicious. 

I was raised in a household where compliments were not bandied about. British parents aren't very emotional and at least once a day you would be likely to hear, Never listen to the words, only look at the behaviors! 

I personally think that it has served myself and siblings very well. We easily accept our flaws without anxiety or self doubt and maybe because of that, we all have tremendous self belief and good esteem? It was drummed into us that we weren't perfect, but we had the capacity to identify our shortcomings and find the people who could fill in the deficits. 

[SilverBells, BSN]

Other good moments: when difficult or challenging patients finally say "thank you," for everything you've done.  It makes all the hard work seem worth it.