What's the nicest thing a patient has done for you?

[Cyndi13]

In glancing through the "Hot" tab on the home page, I noticed that almost everything was a complaint (and thankfully we have a place to vent!). But it left me wondering:

What is the nicest thing a patient/family has done for you? :kiss Or, if you can't think of one, do you have a favorite patient story?

Sometimes it helps to be reminded why we got in this field in the first place

[jjsg]

I just like it when they say thank you.

[elthia]

I once did a quick down and dirty version of guided imagery/deep breathing while holding a pt's hand when he was having an adverse drug reaction.

After he was discharged, he came back and gave me the most lovely teddy bear that was hugging a vase with a red rose. He said the only thing he could remember was feeling like he was dying, and my voice and my hand drawing him back. He really wasn't dying, but it was a pretty bad reaction. I still have the teddy bear, sometimes I when I start getting really burnt out I give it a good hug.

[Mandychelle79, ASN, RN]

Picked out my sons baptism outfit for him. We were shopping ( I was in activities at a LTC at the time) and I couldnt decide between them.

[NewlyANurse]

One of my first patients during my first med/surg clinical rotation in school was this adorable little old lady; I think she was about 92. I was still a horribly nervous new student nurse, but I did my best to get her everything she needed. In between med passes and vital signs, I wasn't really sure what I was supposed to do with myself (only one patient assignment to start with-- I miss that! ) so I'd sometimes just go into her room and check in with her. We'd talk for a moment, she'd tell me she didn't need anything, and I'd fiddle with my hands trying not to look like I was a bit lost.

At the end of my shift as I was flushing her IV, she grabbed my hand and told me "you're going to be a wonderful nurse". :loveya:

[SydneyJo1]

Darn it, this thread has me bawling!! SO nice for a new nurse to hear such stories. :)

[hecallsmeDuchess]

One time I had given a pt of mine his meds and was leaving the room when he said, "hold on a minute, hold your head just like that" and he was furiously drawing something. I stayed on a minute but had to leave because another pt's call bell was going off. When I returned later to give more meds to him, he presented me with a sketch of me, complete with the ruffle in my hair and the ear ring I had on, it looked just like me too! I was really touched by that and still have that little sketch...

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

Bortaz - that brought tears to my eyes - what a sweet thing!

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

Just this morning, I sat down with a patient to give him his morning meds. I asked him, as I usually do, if he needs anything before we get started. He said "yes, I need to tell you something - I've been in a lot of hospitals and you and {nurse aide} are two of the very best".

It never gets old :)

[OBSRNBSN]

I had a pt with panic disorder & severe anxiety who put off a needed colonoscopy for a decade... her laughter was the nicest thing I ever got from a pt.

[libran1984, ASN, RN]

Other than a heartfelt thank you, a pt was taken to my ER and recognized me from the liquor store he owns near my house as I was cleaning his wounds. He gave me a free bottle of Absolute Vodka the next day when I came in for my usual supply-up.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

Bortaz - that brought tears to my eyes - what a sweet thing!

Me too. :)

[LouisVRN, RN]

I had another patient recently, kind of a crotchety older gentleman who clearly did not like being in the hospital and made it very apparent to everyone who went in his room. He had been admitted day shift of my first of three nights for something relatively minor, I believe maybe cellulitis. On the third night as I was coming in he was just being wheeled out to his car for discharge. I waved and he waved me over and introduced me to his wife saying "this is the nurse that took such good care of me the past two nights" He then stood up and gave me a hug. I think my mouth must have dropped open because it was the last thing I expected from this man.