So is this a normal pattern ? several good days followed by

VERY normal. You will occasionally have days when it seems like you can do nothing right. There will be other days when you feel invincible, that nothing can go wrong.

There are good days and far less bad days. As far as the noted situation if you were just assisting another nurse with her pateint then your pts critical lab value takes presedence. If your ER is anything like mine one less set of hands for a minute or two wont make that much difference as typically I have to ask people to leave more often than not having enough help.

Rj