Just when I thought things were coming together

[Emilysmom2, RN]

I have been a nite nurse for 6months now. Within the last month I really started feeling like a real nurse. Still asking questions but getting use to things. Last nite was a pull your hair out kind of nite. Pts pulling out IV's and blood all over, pts signing out AMA, and 3new ER admits and only 4nurses and no clerk and ended up with 1 aide.

I did the best I could but in AM report found out that I did not document everything on the Kardex. Well it was not me but I missed somethings that did not get put on the Kardex. And of course I got "the look" and the "sigh" from a AM nurse. They have 6nurses and a clerk and 3aides. I know it is MUCH busier in the AM that is why I work nites BUT all my pts were cared for, clean and up to date with meds and fluids. I just hate the attitude when I really worked my butt off and no break. Well thanks for listening.

[JaneyW]

It's so hard when a night ends that way. Then you need to go home and go to bed and you are upset and can't. Try to learn to shake it off. Good advice, but hard to practice!

[morte, LPN, LVN]

and develope a way to let the day shift know they can take the attitude and put it where the sun doesnt shine,

do not accept that treatment...dont whine, just dont take it.

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

As a day shift nurse I would want you to finish everything and give me a nice report. As a REAL day shift nurse, I know that doesn't happen, and like on days things can get out of control. Don't let her bother you, just do it, and go. Its now her problem not yours. You did your best and you can't do better than that.

[labcat01, BSN, RN]

There are two frequent saying on my unit:

"Nursing is a 24 hour job" and "Do the best you can with the 12 hours you have".

Once that started to sink in with me, I began to feel less bad about myself at the end of the day. We all have days (nights) like that. That is why we come and vent on AN and then go back for more :icon_hug: