The nurse who can smile when things go wrong...

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Specializes in CCU, Geriatrics, Critical Care, Tele.

The nurse who can smile when things go wrong is probably going off duty.

Of course we all know that most nurses, stay to help out ;)

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And if she's smart, she's doing so in a sprint.

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May be he/she really cares.

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Going off duty, diverting narcs, a new grad, having a mental breakdown or has just given into the fact that you will be staying late

It's the mental breakdown for me

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Amen brother!!!!!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

As good as it feels to get out of there , gotta admit I do feel guilty when I know the oncoming nurse could use a hand and I have to say "sorry, I have to leave or I'll get written up for unauthorized OT"

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Specializes in Psych, LTC/SNF, Rehab, Corrections.

LOL!

That's me. I've got my bag on my shoulder, keys in hand, throwing up the 'deuce' with the other as I stride out of the facility yelling, 'BYE...BYE...BYE'.

...because even when you're leaving you've got residents asking a million and one non-health-related questions...coworkers trying to chit-talk...the ADON stopping you to ask a myriad of questions that begin with 'Can you...' or 'Do you mind if...' or 'Would you....' and ending with an 'I really appreciate.' and 'Thank you for your hark work'.

...and it always involves me being guilted into pulling extra shifts.

Why is the walk from the nurse's station to the front door such a long one? It's like running an obstacle course.

I will stay to help out if it's emergent or a status change or something. I'm not going to leave anyone hanging but I'm usually trying to duck out of there BEFORE the pooh hits the fan.

I will 'smile when things go wrong' for other reasons. My coworker had a resident attempt to amb from her WC and fall forward, recently. Blood everywhere. She was fine. Vitals, neuros...she was alert and oriented. Joking with me. She was fine. Coworker sent her out for stitches. So, anyway, her CNA was fresh out of school and while we were changing her and cleaning her up in prep for transport, the CNA was visibly worried. Upset. 'Am I in trouble?' and 'I don't wanna lose my certification/job'.

I realized that I had an intense look on my face. Not because I was angry or blaming. I was just...focused on fixing what was wrong our resident. I softened it up, talked her through the situation, reassured her that the resident was fine and the CNA relaxed.

I notice that, in tense situations, others tend to rec'v cues from you. It's important to stay calm because it makes others calm. I always knew that but this situation was good reinforcement.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

No one would see that smile in my face...I go out the back elevators :yes:

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I know these are jokes but a few people on my unit seem to get worked up when another nurse isn't stressed out or worked up enough.

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Specializes in ICU.
I know these are jokes but a few people on my unit seem to get worked up when another nurse isn't stressed out or worked up enough.

That sounds like a really toxic work environment, I'd be out ASAP!

I smile all the time. It's my customer service background, I guess. I worked at a place so bent on making sure we had smiles on our faces at all the times that management would stop us in the back halls where no customers were so they could ask why there were no smiles on our faces... yeah. That kind of stuff leaves a lifelong imprint. I call it my "split personality" - I can be having the worst day ever, be extremely angry and frustrated, and I'm still joking and laughing with my patients with a smile on my face. It actually really frustrates me that my coworkers don't seem to be able to do the same thing; hello, you are at work and you need to leave your problems at the door. Really. Your patients do not care what kind of day you've had. In fact, it's just going to lead them to question your competence if you're constantly looking nervous when you come in their rooms...

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Specializes in Acute Care, CM, School Nursing.

That picture looks like the ones they use in scrubs catalogs. The nurses in those pics are delirious with excitement and happiness, leaping in the air and striking odd poses. I always point them out to my husband and say, "I have never struck that pose at work. I must work at the wrong place..." LOLOL

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