how many old time nurses still get nervous

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Specializes in Home Health/Hospice.

How many of you still get nervous before a shift? I do because I work part time so I never know what I'm walking into my first night on. Also working night shift is a lot of stress in itself as it's in LTC and I have 50 patients under my belt to make sure they are stable.

Anyone out there still get some jitters before their shift?

:cool:

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Specializes in LTC.

I've been at my job a little over a year. I don't get nervous like I did on my first couple weeks on my own. But I get a little anxious. I think its normal. We don't know what the hell is going on in there until we actually get there(and even sometimes when we are there we still don't know whats going on lol).

Hope for the best and expect the worst.

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I guess I kinda do too. Nervous more about what type of zoo I will walk into after being off for a while.

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Specializes in LTC.
I guess I kinda do too. Nervous more about what type of zoo I will walk into after being off for a while.

Its definitely a zoo the first day after being off. It might not be a full moon on planet earth but its a full moon somewhere.

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Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

Just watching to see how many are willing to call themselves an "old time nurse",....keeping my mouth shut...:)

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Specializes in Home Health/Hospice.

Hahah I've practiced for many years so yeah I'm an old time nurse, I love your answers because I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking Oh man what am I walking into tonite?

Thanks

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Specializes in Acute Care, CM, School Nursing.

I'm not sure if I qualify as an "old time nurse"... But, I'm certainly not a newer grad. ;)

Yes, I definitely feel some anxiety at the start of a shift. I am a per diem float, so I only work once or twice a week. I walk into a completely new situation every time. The best part is that no matter how awful a shift is, I can rest assured that I won't be back the next day. :)

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I am an "old time nurse", I dont so much get nervous anymore as I get the feeling of - gosh I wish i could retire, or I really wish it was my day off- or, actually what I have been feeling lately is " gosh I missed being here, how are my people"!! Every day is different! I do love my job, it is the extra BS that goes with it that drives me nuts!!

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

I've been working 25 years, and yes, there are days I definitely feel stress before going in, particularly if I know we are going to have a bad day up front. Some days you just have to take a deep breath and paint a smile on your face and pretend to be pleasant. It sometimes actually helps to change your mood. Other days, it's "7 hours left till I can go home." "5 hours left till I can go home." Counting down is the way that keeps me sane. Lunch helps to turn the tide because you know half the day is over.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Hi! Old time nurse here . . .when I went from full-time to part-time after getting very familiar with my first unit, I discovered that a gap of more than 4 days or so combined with (a fact I didn't realize at the time would happen) being floated more often than not, combined with some really nasty inhabitants of those unfamiliar floors, yes. I got the jitters more. It really cut down my enjoyment of my job.

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