Amazing Shift.

[Adam D. RN2005]

I had a pretty hard shift yesterday. One nurse called out sick, and we had no one to cover so our ratios became 7 and 8 pt's per nurse. I started off with seven, picked up a transfer, discharged 4, picked up two more and finished with six. I was constantly walking, 12 miles according to my pedometer, legs feel that tired,

What was amazing was that I was able to keep on top of all of the work, got all of my charting done, and all of my work done. And even managed to fit in 30 minutes for lunch. (After my spectacular cracking episode, I have made it a point to get off the unit for lunch every shift.)

When I walked out at 2000, I was exhausted but I felt good about the shift. I have become very comfortable with myself on the unit.

They called me in for tomorrow, but I had to decline, I just had some work done on my house, and I want to get my house back together. As well as, I need to just take care of things that I have been putting off for several months. But I am enjoying my job and loving every second of it. No regretes of becoming an RN.

Adam, RN

[GiantHeart21]

It is very nice to hear that number one you like your job and number two you enjoy hard work and feel a sense of satisfaction after a hard shift.

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

I had a pretty hard shift yesterday. One nurse called out sick, and we had no one to cover so our ratios became 7 and 8 pt's per nurse. Adam, RN

I WOULD NOT accept an assignment of anything over 6 patients. This seriously puts your license in jeopardy. It's been proven that the death rate is much higher in patients whose nurse has over 6 patients. I have a hard time giving good care to 6. I can give decent care to 5. Over 6 no way. I also worry about your unit. The hospital I work for would beg, borrow and steal nurses before giving us more than 6 patients. Our NM or DON has been known to work the floor in a serious pinch. I don't mean to come across as being negative, I really don't. I understand how much you enjoy your job and how satisfying it is to you. I just want you to understand (nurse of 30 years here speaking) the ramifications of taking on so much responsibility and how it jeopardizes your license. I wish you the best of luck and congratulations on getting your RN.

Getting 30 minutes for lunch and actually leaving the floor for that long is truely AMAZING !!!!!

[HyperRNRachel]

Adam, I am so glad to know you bounced back after the temporary "crack up". It sounds like you are making great progress and I think it is great that you are able to turn such a hectic situation into a productive day. Hopefully you patient load will not always be so high, but in the cases where expectations and demands are high it is nice to see you rise to the challange instead of turning it into a full blown b**** session.

Keep taking those breaks!:kiss

Rachel

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

it is nice to see you rise to the challange instead of turning it into a full blown b**** session. Rachel

Dear Hyperstudent,

It's truely not about a full blown b**** session, it's about patient safety foremost and secondly about jeopardizing your license which you will cherish once you have one.

[RainDreamer, BSN, RN]

Adam, I'm glad to hear things are going better for you! That's really good that you've made it a point to take a 30 minute lunch break, off the unit. That's something I do too. I take 30 minutes and go eat in the break room, watch some TV and just relax. I feel refreshed once I go back and finish off the rest of my shift ..... it's really important to do that! Again, I'm glad to hear things are going well, good luck to you.

[grinnurse, RN]

Adam-

Great to hear that things are going better for you. It's amazing isn't it how just a few months of feeling ineffecient can turn into an amazing shift. Seems like your time management skills are coming together nicely from your post!!

Keep up the good work and best wishes for continued success!!