superstitions/things you always do before work?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

So I've been feeling way better about work lately. I've felt more confident and things have been going better. One of the MANY things i've adapted to includes some changes I've made to my pre-work routine.

I bought myself a pair of nice earrings (studs, work appropriate). I wear those, put on light makeup before I leave - makes me feel better.

And also, I always play the Demi Lavato song "Confident" when I enter my hospital's parking garage. It is the last thing I hear before I clock in. I've done that every shift I've worked for the past couple weeks and I am going to continue!

What is your pre-work routine/is there anything that you do to help get you mentally prepared for work?

Specializes in Primary Care, LTC, Private Duty.

Listen to music on the way to work, get there early enough to find a decent parking spot (the decent, closer lot is very small and fills up quickly), focus on my breathing, and remind myself that it's only for 8-12 hours (depending on which workplace I'm at).

I feel lIke this post is for type A personalities.

I don't have any rituals. The only thing I really need is enough time leaving the house so I don't feel rushed on the drive in. Bonus if I get there with enough time to sit in my car and play a round of boggle on my phone.

Specializes in ICU.

I get out of bed at the last possible minute, leave the house at the last possible minute, curse and yell loudly at the other people driving on the road (Don't these people have anywhere to BE RIGHT NOW?!?!?!), and run to the time clock. Every. Single. Night.

Half the dang time I park in the volunteer lot right next to the staff entrance and have to go move my car later.

I often spend my drive thinking about how nice it would be to get right in front of these people at 8 AM, when they're trying to get to work, and slowing down my car and going ten under the speed limit like they're doing to me. I bet they wouldn't like it if the tables were turned.

I'd probably have something bad happen to me if I showed up early at this point. I almost always clock in at 1844 (have to clock in by 1845). One day I clocked in at 1842 and I was just so surprised because I think that's the earliest I'd ever gotten there.

Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

I pray all the way to work. I pray for my patients, I pray for my coworkers. Works every time. I had newer nurses believe I had a contract to always get the best patients. I didn't, but my settled soul never let anything bother me. Attitude is most of the fight.

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
I feel lIke this post is for type A personalities.

Probably...

My routine is very strict, but it's also easy-going.

One Doc I worked with said, "You get a lot done, but you act like you're doing nothing". A psych tech extraordinaire I work with often jokes and says to me, "There's such a calmness about him".

I leave my house for the 30 mile trek up to ten minutes before I have to. I never ever speed or try to make up time on the road. Having driven this route for 14 years, I know exactly what point I will be at what time. There are exactly 31 stoplights/stoplights on my way to work. Most of the stoplights are green, due to the late hour.

I take a different route on the way home. It's about 5 miles longer, but there are only 7 stoplights/stop signs as the majority of the route is interstate.

I did some tests: Basically, drove to work 10 miles over the speed limit and then drove to work 10 miles under the speed limit. The difference, in 30 miles, was less than 5 minutes- more in the area of about 3-4 minutes.

Leaving 10 minutes early for work, I've clocked in a few minutes late perhaps three times in 14 years. Accidents, trains, police road checks, bad weather, etc. have not deterred this nurse from clocking in on time.

I listen to classical music on the drive to work, freeing my head for thoughts, in an alone time.

I may be a type A personality, but I work on presenting myself as a type B.

I work third so mine might be a little different. I shower before I leave home (otherwise I don't ever feel awake), listen to some loud music on the way in (Disturbed or Slipknot are my current bands of choice), and usually arrive 10-15 minutes early so I can read notices and what not. Beyond that, I'm very go with the flow. I worked psych too many years to be overly superstitious.

Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I have to have SOME sort of coffee drink in my hand, as I'm

driving to work. HAVE TO. There is no way around it. If I

didn't leave the house without coffee in hand or coffee drink,

I HAVE to stop at the convenience store, I don't care HOW

late I am running.

Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Hit the snooze button (set the alarm 9 minutes early just so I can).

Remind myself that I did not win the lottery the night before and really do need to go in so that I can keep a roof over my head.

Caffeinate during the drive in. This is absolutely essential.

Park and sit in my car for a few minutes (lip balm and hand lotion time).

Resign myself to my fate and walk to the time clock.

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