Non-verbal compliments. I am honored when a doctor seeks me out for an opinion. I am honored when a doctor listens to me and respects my analysis of a situation, whether he/she acts on my input is irrelevant. The best compliment is to be included in helping to develop the best plan of care for your patient as part of a team.
Surgeon told my patient’s family that I saved their daughter’s life. The patient had a chest tube; she began to struggle to breathe, it was middle of night
shift and the doctor was home a distance away, ER doctor too busy with Emergencies to come. Patient was deteriorating and chest tube whistling under dressing on chest. I told the father I couldn’t wait any longer, opened the dressing and adjusted the tube till not leaking and reapplied new dressing to seal and hold in place. Patient quickly improved even before done. The doctor came in and stayed the rest of the night. The father thanked me.1
When I was the rapid response RN and he called me to go see what was going on with his patient, because what the bedside RN was telling him wasn't making sense to him. He trusted me to assess the situation and report back to clarify what was going on. That's the highest compliment a doctor can pay to me. Trust that I know what I'm doing.
I also was able to verify that the bedside RN was correct in her assessment, just got tangled up in trying to explain it, so he knew that he could trust her, too.
LPN here. The doctor I worked with pulled me aside and said "I have had more patients tell me what a great nurse you are, and that just doesn't happen."
In a letter of recommendation he wrote for me he said, "Tammy is the best nurse I have had in 25 years of practice."
When the admitting doctor trusts you enough to give you their private cell phone number as a way to contact and text orders 🙌
When a surgeon requests me to be in his or her room for a procedure, as a scrub or circulator.
I was so relieved when I saw you taking report on this patient - I know we’ll be able to get this patient in a good place/stable.
When the doctor FOUGHT to take me with him when he traveled to another clinic. I found out later that he said I go with him, or he didn't go.
Of course he never told me about this, it was a management secret. But obviously it got out.
“You! You, saved that heart muscle.”
He wrote a letter to my Chief Nurse and I got nominated for Daisy bcos of that.
You can sign up for a job once you get your license
I trust your judgement
Thank you
You just saved my ass.
A few doctors have told me that I should have been a doctor. I didn't know if it was a compliment or not.
“You’re a good nurse”
“The patients love you”
Room full of nurses, “Where’s Christine?”
I trust you. What would you like to do?
I worked in primary care for 4 years, and part of that time was with a fairly new doctor. He appreciated my patience, good attitude, and always willingness to help others, including him. I went to med/surg for one year after getting my RN, and whenever I would see him, he would tell me he was so much more relaxed when I was his nurse, and I was welcome back anytime. For several reasons I am now going back to work for him—one of the most outstanding reasons is he went to the manager and they got an RN position created just for me if I wanted it. I was so intimidated to work with a provider at first, but now I prefer it.
One Dr wrote a compliment to my unit manager saying I was a exceptional nurse, another Dr said he wanted me for all his rounds. Those compliments build so much confidence.
I overheard an MD tell my instructor and preceptor, "that one is a keeper."
Good catch. You saved that patient’s life!
When they ask your opinion or listen to your suggestions. The best compliment I get is when I am in the room with the doc and patient and the doc says ‘she is the boss, she will tell me what to do and you listen to what she says’.
“I am so glad you are charge today!”
You are a smart guy, don’t second guess yourself.
