What Kind of Patients Do You LIKE Most?

Nurses Relations

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OK, we have an active thread about the types of patients and conditions we don't enjoy dealing with......now let's have one about the ones we DO like to take care of. :D

As I said on the other thread, I love the grumpy old men.....once you get them talking, they almost always warm up and start telling you war stories. By the time your shift is over, they've fallen in love with you and never give you another moment's grief during the rest of their stay.

Another favorite patient is the one who is actually interested in their condition and thirsty for knowledge. They will often look to you for guidance in dealing with it because you are a nurse and they trust you. These are always the patients you bump into months later at the Safeway and they point you out to their companion as "the nurse who was so nice to me". They will also thank you profusely for teaching them about their disease and tell you what a difference you made in their life. Needless to say, this doesn't hurt one bit.

But the patients I love the most are the ones who face even the gravest conditions with courage, faith, and resilience. I am reminded of a 50-something gentleman who made frequent visits to the hospital where I worked about a dozen years ago; diagnosed with Stage IV esophageal cancer, he somehow became a beacon of hope not only to the legions of friends who came to visit him, but to all of us as well. We often found ourselves in his room even when we didn't need to be, drinking deep of his wisdom and bravery; he was like a candle in the darkness even as the cancer ravaged him and gradually robbed him of his ability to speak or swallow.

One evening after he'd had a stent placed to keep his esophagus from closing completely, he made me promise I'd go to the doctor for my case of GERD, to which I'd confessed after he insisted on knowing why I was always hiccuping and stifling burps. That was how his CA had begun, and he didn't want the same thing to happen to me. Typically, I never thought of it again until word came that he had passed away in another hospital.....Well, suffice it to say that I sought treatment shortly thereafter, and have rarely suffered with GERD since. And I owe it all to David. :saint:

A&O elderly people, especially elderly men. My favorite are the World War II generation patients. They are just wonderful people and it's a pleasure to care for them (at least all the ones I've met).

Any patient who is appreciative.

In LTC, I apperciate family who visit their parents/grandparents and act as advocates for them.

I liked those patients who believe in your talent and that you can help them to get well.Thier smile and thanks makes my heart rejoice!...I love to see them smiling when they recovered and full of hopes!:)

Specializes in ICU/CCU, Med Surg.

I love grumpy old folks.

I also love watching any patient make a big recovery when their prognosis was grim from the start.

Anyone who uses humor to cope - it's how I deal w/stress and uncertainty, so I feel more connected to these pts :clown:

Cute babies. Loves me a cute baby.

Severe sepsis, lactic acidosis, open bellies fresh from the OR, fresh post op open hearts. Basically anything with about 10 pumps and a lot of critical thinking. Of course, I enjoy them more if I'm able to start weaning drips and watch them improve.

Specializes in Med Surg.

I love the gruff little old men, pleasantly confused little old ladies, and knee replacement patients. I love it, too, when I'm able to teach a patient something and I see that lightbulb go off that they get it.

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I love pretty much any patient that I have been told in report is difficult to deal with. I seem to have a knack for turning those into a "good day" patient and I enjoy the challenge.

I love families who are loving, involved and realistic with an actively dying loved one.

Any patient that wants to touch, pat or hold my hand while I am providing care. Melts me every time. Almost always the elderly.

I enjoy having patients from a different culture. Usually they are very eager and willing to educate me on what is important to them and I enjoy making their stay feel more comfortable.

Patients who are in genuine pain or genuinely fearful who look to me for comfort and assistance and then utilize the tools I give them. I like seeing them gain trust, feel better and, of course, afterward think I am the bees knees. :)

Specializes in PACU, pre/postoperative, ortho.
Those that are appreciative. It is so common never to hear a thank you anymore, but one rare one and I can't stop smiling:). Brightens your WHOLE day!:)

Love to hear a sincere thank you! A few nights ago, had a pt that even elaborated, stating how she appreciated how much time I spent, how I was the only one to offer to help her turn, etc. It really warms your heart & makes you want to stay just a bit longer to make sure everything is just right for that pt!

Also love any pt that has a good sense of humor & a good attitude!

from a psych nurse perspective-- the ones with super grandiose delusions. sure, it's always nice to get a thank you-- but i love the grandiose delusional ones that offer you a promotion/raise/100k bonus for a jello cup because they think they own the hospital.

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
from a psych nurse perspective-- the ones with super grandiose delusions. sure, it's always nice to get a thank you-- but i love the grandiose delusional ones that offer you a promotion/raise/100k bonus for a jello cup because they think they own the hospital.

Had a guy in gero-psych once offer to make me his running mate/ mistress!! :)

Anybody with a sense of humor. Hard times lead to dark humor, and that's my favorite kind. These people can find the good in any bad situation and make the most of it.

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