It can make all the difference in the quality and intimacy of your care. Caregivers can never have too many insights on the human condition. Humor Using humor to break tension and show compassion is wonderful. Using humor to humiliate and show hostility, stinks. Let your smile out.
Caregivers CAN give too much.
Be realistic, tolerant, and forgiving of your limits. Thou shalt carry malpractice insurance. When you enter a patient's or client's home, wipe your feet, take off your hat, and leave your power struggles and personal problems on the doorstep. Nursing needs all the spokespersons and mentors it can get. After all, it's the caregiving that offers us wisdom to apply to all aspects of life.