Things that make it all worth it

dudette10, MSN, RN · Jul 25, 2012

You are a better person than I. Here's why:

I get those types of comments a lot. However, I must be a very good actress because even though I have the smile on my face and the right lilt in my voice when speaking to unreasonably demanding patients, in the back of my mind, all I'm thinking is, "Will you please leave me alone for just 1 hour? Please?"

tokebi · Jul 25, 2012

You are a better person than I. Here's why:
I get those types of comments a lot. However, I must be a very good actress because even though I have the smile on my face and the right lilt in my voice when speaking to unreasonably demanding patients, in the back of my mind, all I'm thinking is, "Will you please leave me alone for just 1 hour? Please?"

I became an actress as well, once I realized certain demanding patients have a devious way of manipulating staff to get what they want. In particular, doling out sweet compliments time to time as if to prime us for the next round of abuse.

But to OP, that was really a sweet anecdote. :)

hopefulwhoop · Jul 25, 2012

Eh, not buying it. I get that all the time and it's almost always from the really difficult, demanding patients. I find that they're usually trying to get on your good side, because they know how annoying they are or have been. It's manipulation, imo.

aboucherrn · Jul 26, 2012

I find that the patients who say "I hate to keep bothering you...", don't seem to mind bothering me at all :)

anotherone, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2012

I became an actress as well, once I realized certain demanding patients have a devious way of manipulating staff to get what they want. In particular, doling out sweet compliments time to time as if to prime us for the next round of abuse.
But to OP, that was really a sweet anecdote. :)

Yes! When i get this bs , I think back to the "cycle of abuse" and the honeymoon period. One likely fake comment doesn't make up for all the nonsence.

KitkatPRN · Jul 26, 2012

I'm thinkin' you really made a difference, and weren't "played", as the other comments here seem to suggest. The reason I say this: 1) you have a smiley face @ the end of your comment 2) You have been a member to allnurses.com for over 5 years ... so I'm thinkin' you aren't that "green". I would like to say this: THANK GOD FOR THE NURSES WHO REALLY GIVE A S^%#! ... R/T THE PATIENT >>>>>>> Kimmie, I think you do !!! To the nay-sayers boo, on you !! :down:

KitkatPRN · Jul 26, 2012

I'm thinkin' you really made a difference, and weren't "played", as the other comments here seem to suggest. The reason I say this: 1) you have a smiley face @ the end of your comment 2) You have been a member to allnurses.com for over 5 years ... so I'm thinkin' you aren't that "green". I would like to say this: THANK GOD FOR THE NURSES WHO REALLY GIVE A S^%#! ... R/T THE PATIENT >>>>>>> Kimmie, I think you do !!! To the nay-sayers boo, on you !!

kimmie4476, ASN, RN · Jul 26, 2012

Yes, it wasn't requests that they were calling me for, it was because they were critical and in addition...anxious about it so the thank you was for getting her through the anxiety...talking her down etc.

No, I'm not a new nurse and it's not a honeymoon period....thanks people for taking a positive thought from me and turning it negative.

smurfynursey · Jul 26, 2012

go you! :)

amygarside · Jul 26, 2012

When people appreciate what we do, we are reassured of our choice of being a nurse. You are lucky to have a patient tell you something heartwarming. :)

BrandonLPN, LPN · Jul 26, 2012

The cynic in me can't help but agree that 9/10 times comments like these from "frequent flyers" are no more than pure manipulation. But I'm NOT so much of a cynic that I can't admit that it's the 1/10 pts who are sincere who do indeed make it all worthwhile. As the OP is an experienced nurse, I trust she can tell the difference. Glad she got that little "pick me up".