Is this normal?

loriangel14, RN · Feb 10, 2012

I have had shifts like that.Keepz you on your toes.I am exhausted but proud of myself at the end of the shift.Thank heavens they are not all like that.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2012

you'll be able to do it. you'll get better at it. nights like this have their own rhythm and you'll find yours. and it will not be like this every night.

sleepRN, ADN, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2012

What are the hours of your shift? I've worked 3 to 11 for 4 years. I'm convinced it is the busiest shift (I've worked days and nights, 12's and 8's). Your experience sounds like a shift at its worst. Hopefully you'll have better days.

sunnyskies9 · Feb 10, 2012

yeah I've had days like this too... I work on a general surgery floor. this is very typical. it leaves your head spinning and your legs aching. the best thing to do that I've learned is to ask your coworkers for help, especially the charge RN should be your go to person. but the worst thing to do that I've learned is trying to do it all by yourself and thinking you can handle it. that will set anyone up for disaster and poor patient care.

gorjos · Feb 10, 2012

Yeah, it is the 3 to 11 shift. Super busy. We don't have a charge on evenings. I did get some help this time, which doesnt always happen, but there was a tone of "you will get there and be able to handle this when you become a more experienced nurse." Yes, I will become more self reliant, but with so much going on, care becomes diluted. I don't want to miss the little things that make a good nurse a good nurse. I am only human, yet I feel like that whiny nurse who complains or doesn't like being busy. Not true, I just hate the anxiety of trying to manage a circus safely.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2012

That is one busy night and would frustrate even a seasoned nurse. It will get that you don't feel as helpless and over whelmed....but that was a busy shift. How did the patient do with the 70% O2 sat and chest pain? We all feel anxious on nights like that you just really do get better at managing the circus. :hug:

nightengalegoddess · Feb 11, 2012

Unfortunately, all too normal. It is no wonder RNs are not always "normal" people.

When these types of nights happen; I have a hard time controlling my facial expressions! They can get me into trouble even though my brows are 50% frozen with my beloved botox! If it weren't for that stuff I would look like Satan on nights like this....just holding everything in. As it is.....those brows move way too much!!!!

If you got through this night my friend; you will get through any night. And it is normal to have one night or strings of nights like this. I have tried for years to correlate it with the moon phases but there is no logic to it. (Maybe L and D can rely on moon phases but not the rest of us).

What specialty/dept do you work in? Preparing for surgery can sound like OR or also Med Surg. Unfortunatley, Med- surg is the toughest nursing work besides psych that I can imagine. It is also the place where you earn your nursenesss. I have been an RN for 10 years.....no matter where I go in the hospital.......ICU..ED....Med Surg is the most challenging.

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 11, 2012

First of all let me Congratulate you for surviving a full Moon shift, yes that's exactly what I call shifts like the one you had; it only reminds me of that song "Mama said there be days like these" and trust me you had a hell of a shift. Furthermore, you not only demonstrated to yourself that you know how to handle chaos; but also your colleagues did noticed as well. Lastly, after a shift like yours I usually go straight to a hot warm bath, a glass of my favorite beverage and knock myself out :zzzzz

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 11, 2012

nightengalegoddess

You made me LMAO with your above comment :rotfl: