bronte3

I too, am an introvert but after hours. At work some of the time I was an extrovert but rarely when there was management around (if that makes sense). My patients often remarked they wanted me for my next shift and asked to see the NUM to complement me on my professionalism and care both to them and their families, as have students that have been just 'given' to me as no one else was available and they also complemented the way I helped them. Although it was somewhat nice to be praised it was always rained on by management including other nursing staff on the wards by the way they treated me. I am a quiet achiever but staff knew that I could be depended on when it counted. That's when I actually felt like I was needed and staff had confidence in my ability. Otherwise I mostly felt tormented whilst at work and that I was quite useless. At the end of the day my patients were happy with their care and appreciated everything I did for them. Nursing in that respect gave me a great sense of personal satisfaction. It's nice to be acknowledged but it may not always be from the people you want it from and as a PP wrote you know you are good when they prefer you over another nurse.

The Q word is a definite no no on any shift in Oz. I've worked with agency and after 17 hospitals it is a definite resounding "Never say that word".. The quiet shift I've yet to find and as for the full moon I often forget until around midnight the crap hits the fan. Codes, deaths, dementia patients escaping or getting into other pts beds. Mental health pts line up 2 hours earlier for their meds. Pt's ready for d/c the following morning end up with complications as I have also found with day pt's. I guess if it was a world wide study the answers may be different but it seems that having so many hospitals over a 5 year period you have to wonder. For me personally once I walk out the door I sigh with relief and agree it was indeed a quiet shift. In the real world it rarely passes my mind. It is comforting to know that there are many of us worldwide who do think the same way.

If there is an opportunity grab it and run. If you take it and it doesn't work out then you can go back and say I gave it a go and it wasn't for me, nobody has lost. Will this opportunity arise again? Invest in your future because nobody else can. You aren't being selfish by leaving you are being proactive in doing what you worked so hard for. I say take the offer because you don't know what it will lead to, your gain is the bf's loss. Good luck and enjoy.