This spring I had a hospital staff experience. Let me explain I worked for a candy manufacturer at the time and a relative was scheduled for neuro-surgery. Sending unexpected packages to the hospital was not ok. I called the operators, cleared it with them and sent them candy (no one had ever done so before).
I sent the staff small individual boxes of candy. I sent the janitorial staff candy. The operation was delayed and rescheduled. I sent MORE candy including chocolate cigars to congratulate them on a successful operation (before it happened).
There was a problem and they had to operate again. Was I an ass? No. I sent even more candy.
Things weren't going well in her room, so I called the charge nurse at 2am (who fully expected to get reamed), and politely asked for her help. Presto (she got a private room) I sent candy to the night shift because they usually only get leftovers.
I got asked if the candy was for my relative, and I said "oh no, that's for you! Shouldn't she be eating jello and gruel?" We had a lovely talk and she was treated very well.
To this day, she said she walks into that department and everybody knows her name, and asks about her.
Nice. You might not have access to huge amounts of candy at WELL below wholesale, but cards, kindness and going out of your way for staff works for you.
A letter of praise to the staff's supervisors works wonders, too.
Yes, its nice to speak with someone who has a concern and not get your ass chewed out. Most of the time it's not the person's fault to whom you are addressing the concern with. It's tough to walk into your job with good intentions and get railed by others loose ends AND pissed families. There's bad apples everywhere there's work to be done.
Not chewing the charge nurse out and telling her I knew it wasn't the staff's fault (it was another patient) went a long way. You could just hear her relax over the phone.
Obviously high emotion situations when it comes to loved one's health, but it's nice to be able to have an efficient and objective conversation and provide a quick/effective remedy.
Hmm. Actually not all that high emotion on my end.
In the olden days a friend used to give the nurses bottles of peach brandy and $20 bills (lots of athletic injuries) until I heard those stories, it never occurred to me to give goodies to the staff. Since then I am the Santa Claus of the ward.
This spring I had a hospital staff experience. Let me explain I worked for a candy manufacturer at the time and a relative was scheduled for neuro-surgery. Sending unexpected packages to the hospital was not ok. I called the operators, cleared it with them and sent them candy (no one had ever done so before).
I sent the staff small individual boxes of candy. I sent the janitorial staff candy. The operation was delayed and rescheduled. I sent MORE candy including chocolate cigars to congratulate them on a successful operation (before it happened).
There was a problem and they had to operate again. Was I an ass? No. I sent even more candy.
Things weren't going well in her room, so I called the charge nurse at 2am (who fully expected to get reamed), and politely asked for her help. Presto (she got a private room) I sent candy to the night shift because they usually only get leftovers.
I got asked if the candy was for my relative, and I said "oh no, that's for you! Shouldn't she be eating jello and gruel?" We had a lovely talk and she was treated very well.
To this day, she said she walks into that department and everybody knows her name, and asks about her.
Nice. You might not have access to huge amounts of candy at WELL below wholesale, but cards, kindness and going out of your way for staff works for you.
A letter of praise to the staff's supervisors works wonders, too.
Yes, its nice to speak with someone who has a concern and not get your ass chewed out. Most of the time it's not the person's fault to whom you are addressing the concern with. It's tough to walk into your job with good intentions and get railed by others loose ends AND pissed families. There's bad apples everywhere there's work to be done.
Not chewing the charge nurse out and telling her I knew it wasn't the staff's fault (it was another patient) went a long way. You could just hear her relax over the phone.
Obviously high emotion situations when it comes to loved one's health, but it's nice to be able to have an efficient and objective conversation and provide a quick/effective remedy.
Hmm. Actually not all that high emotion on my end.
In the olden days a friend used to give the nurses bottles of peach brandy and $20 bills (lots of athletic injuries) until I heard those stories, it never occurred to me to give goodies to the staff. Since then I am the Santa Claus of the ward.