Dear Grateful Patients and Family Members...

We, your nurses, love knowing if you appreciated our care. There is nothing that gives me the warm fuzzies like a little old lady saying, "You're so sweet and caring. Such a wonderful nurse." Makes me forget that I hate my job sometimes.

But I have a favour to ask of you. I know I probably don't speak for the majority, but for myself, I have this tiny request.

Stop it with the baked goods already!!! Why does "I enjoyed your nursing care" automatically have to translate into piles of cakes and cookies in our break room? I'm trying to lose weight for god's sake!!

I can turn down a box of chocolates, or distribute them among coworkers. But I am powerless against homemade lemon squares, or chewy chocolate chip cookies. And nothing goes down quite so nicely after a hard shift like a cup of tea and an almond biscotti that just happens to be sitting on the break room table.

It's instant dopamine gratification, and it needs to stop. You will make me diabetic, I am sure of it.

If you want to show your appreciation, I'd love it if you filled out one of the comment cards we have at the nursing station. My boss sees those, and I need all the good words with her that I can get.

Thanks,

PurpleRN