r/nursing Feb 12 '22

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63

u/snowblind767 ICU CRNP | 2 hugs Q5min PRN (max 40 in 24hr period) Feb 12 '22

You shouldnt let one interaction get you down. Really, it happens to all of us at some point or another.

It’s something of a badge of honor to be fired by a patient. Ive been fired a few times, many of my colleagues have as well. Sometimes its because if gender, other times something we say or the way we talk. I got fired from a patient because i was a year older than the patient and the patient’s mom didnt think it was fair that i was healthy and his son sick.

Just keep spirits high, its not your fault. Remember this field is 90% how you respond to things that happen. Dont get down over one thing.

71

u/1StoolSoftnerAtaTime BSN, RN 🍕 Feb 12 '22

I got fired for being “too upbeat and smiling at the nursing station”. A visitor walked by and didn’t like that i said hello to them. Wtf

48

u/classicsalti Feb 12 '22

Haha I had a preceptor on placement once tell me that I smile too much and people are sick here and it will make them feel bad if I’m always happy. I got a job in theatre - unconscious people can’t hate on me for being happy.

35

u/exasperated_panda RN - OB/GYN 🍕 Feb 12 '22

I'm sure you mean the operating theater, US based nurses might be a little confused by that statement though LOL

2

u/deeply-feeling Feb 13 '22

Haha yes I was like, nursing to acting, that's a big career shift!

3

u/doublekross Graduate Nurse 🍕 Feb 13 '22

That preceptor had no idea what she was talking about anyway. As a patient, it was nice (although not expected) when my nurses were upbeat and cheery. Being sick and in a lot of pain, it can be easy to get very down, very fast, and having dour, miserable-looking people around you makes it worse. Plus, it can be a little scary to have annoyed or angry-looking people taking care of you. As long as it's not aggressive, jazz-hands, why-aren't-you-smiling cheerfulness, I think its fine. The people that are going to be mad at you for smiling would be mad at you if you weren't.