I'm a pretty new RN, had to float to another unit for nightshift last night (our census was low on the home turf). So, after reporting off, finishing up, know that everyone was breathing and that a nurse had spot checked them before I left, I had the following thought.
It was a good shift if at the end, in this order, things happen this way:
I charted quantity and quality sufficient to keep my rear end out of a lawsuit and to accurately document the patient' s progress through the night. Yes, in that priority.
Everyone is breathing (maybe that should be concurrent w/ number one......), pain controlled, early meds done, toileted, and consents done for any procedures, diet orders in, and ideally has fresh fluids hung. OK, I try really hard to think about where the bag is in its lifecycle, but I don't always get that one done. Strike that.
I get to give report and be finished with that no later than my official end time. Thanks, 'cause today's day staff is one awesome group, they get in and on it on time! I'm serious.
I have less than 2.7% "Oh crap, did I remember to do X ?" per patient, increased in inverse proportion for later admits during the shift. I loved that 0300 admit today, just not the fact that that admit put me at max pt load on a floor I usually don't work on. Argh. Still, per #1 & #2 above, I did ok.
I spend no more than 7 minutes finishing up charting so that I don't hit the dreaded 8 minute over that rolls to the 15+ mark for incremental overtime....bah!
I remember to get my lunch leftovers out of the fridge, especially my lunch bag.
I remember to put my badge and keys in my bag, and not leave them out somewhere necessitating a call to locate or a return trip to the unit. Or an incident form (bah! again) and extra forms for replacements. Haven't had that happen, hope not to, but it does cross my mind.
I don't have any pesky meds in my pockets, like insulin, or, oh, narcotics that should have been wasted. That just destroys the whole good shift vibe right there when that happens. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. On previous shift I left with a Lantus Solostar in my pocket. Gosh, that made the trip home a little longer that day....
My car has minimal frost on the windows.
That's it. What crosses your mind to make you say, "hey, good shift...." as you swipe out and walk away?