What have your co-workers done to make a shift go more smoothly?

[xtxrn]

I had a lot of good co-workers, and realize I was fortunate (yeah- there were a few duds along the way- but the vast majority were really great to work with). :)

It's hard to pin any one thing down. Probably the one I recall from the place I really miss is how everyone just worked together. I was in charge (no patient assignment), but would see everybody each shift. The LVNs, CNA, and unit clerk I worked with (and once in a while an RN) were SO great about just working as a team with repositioning ( a lot of ortho surgeries), post-op vitals, grabbing supplies, etc. It was a cohesive team.

One of the most "organized" co-workers was one of the unit clerks I worked with. At first I didn't know what to think- LOL She would hurdle over my body to get the phone if I reached to answer it (trying to be helpful- :)). We got the territorial stuff worked out, and she was great. By the time I got the chart to check orders, she had all consents, blood consents, lab reqs, etc-this was before EMRs. And she got them RIGHT. We all had a sort of tongue in cheek nickname for her WCFH....Ward Clerk From H*** (she knew about it, and if anyone asked about who was there for the shift, someone would holler out "Hey, is the WCFH here?". For those who didn't know the whole story it sounded awful- but everybody groaned if she wasn't there.

[Jasel, BSN, RN]

My last job had 2 separate units with 3 nurses between them. One nurse had to pick up most of her patients from the first unit and 3 off the second unit which I was working. Anyway I could see she was busy so I told her not to worry about the patients on my unit I'd take care of them the rest of the shift.

So maybe about a week or two later we only had 2 nurses working between the units. Me and her. So that meant we both had about 31 patients a piece but I had to pick up 6 from the first unit. Anyway I had an admission and was very behind and she picked up the 6 patients I was supposed to get on her unit. Which was very helpful.

I've also had a few CNAs really help me out a few times too. So it pays to help out your co-workers and treat them right:)

[krenee]

The evening shift nurses sometimes do the night stuff for us when the have time - weighing the babies (we're a NICU), making our flow sheets up for us, getting the stuff together that we'll need for our labs. Stocking should be done by every shift, but of course it isn't always so that's helpful too. Mostly just any time someone asks if they can help you it's good. Sometimes they can't but sometimes it's needed desperately.

[nola1202]

pizza, free with coke and diet coke from the interns and residents. (who really couldn't afford to be buying.) Nothing ever tasted so good.

[StrwbryblndRN]

I know I am going to have a good night when I work with the nurses who can remain calm. They know how to prioritize and can find time to help even when they have a lot on their plates. They can anticipate their pt's needs and most usually sleep sound.

(as a matter of fact they are working tonight with me, yeah!)

Night shiftusually works well together no matter what. I have no complaints.

[nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN]

Keys to a good night (in my opinion):

1) If someone's in trouble -- patient crashing, got an "easy admit" who's turned into a nightmare, a PITA patient who's ringing the callbell off the wall -- ask them what you can do to help, and then go do it.

2) If someone says, "hey can you help me boost my patient?" and you can, please do. If you're truly busy, say "hey, I've got a handful of meds, but I'll be there in 2 minutes." And then go.

3) If you need help, say so! The worst nights I've had usually involved someone with a patient going down the tubes and nobody knows until the nurse hits the code button. Maybe we could have headed this off at the pass, but now we don't have that option.

4) Every once in a while, we all have a potluck -- everybody brings a crock pot of something, and we eat together as we can. It's true, people bond over meals. To a degree, "food is love" and when you cook for someone, it's showing love. We've got some folks who are away from their parents for the first time, and you cook for them and give them real food (as opposed to MickeyD's) and they just about cry.

5) We've all got what we're good at, and what we're not so good at. I'm good with neuros, foleys and reading telemetry. Okay at IVs, but nobody'd put me on the IV team. If you've got someone who's having trouble with a foley or an IV or an NG, or can't figure out if it's a junctional vs. afib, help'm out, and get them to help you with their "specialty." We all like to feel needed.

6) If someone's got a soul sucking patient or crazy family in a room, show'm some love and take some of the callbells. Wouldn't you want someone to give you a break?

[mama_d, BSN, RN]

Several of us on my floor have been working together for years...there's just something about knowing everyone's little quirks and how to read each others' body language that helps keep things running smoothly in general.

One of my coworkers and I work together remarkably well...if either one of us is having a difficult time, the other can just jump right in with no worries. When we're both in with a pt doing care or if someone is crashing, it's usually fairly well co-ordinated without us even having to discuss it. We've been working together over five years now and I know that no matter how bad the night could be, if he's working it'll be all good, and vice versa.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

There is a certain phrase that my co-workers use to ensure a fast and streamlined shift:

"Margaritas After Work! Last one out pays for the first round!"

Teamwork is ensured.

[nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN]

There is a certain phrase that my co-workers use to ensure a fast and streamlined shift:

"Margaritas After Work! Last one out pays for the first round!"

Teamwork is ensured.

Yeah, but we work nights in a small southern town. The only thing we could do is go buy a six pack and drink it in the Walmart parking lot. Not a bright idea at 7 am, especially as everyone in town would see us, and our phones would be ringing before we got home....

And I love a good 'rita, made with Hurradurra Silver, Cointreau, and just a splash of peach schnapps. Just not at 7 am....

Maybe we could do waffles at the Waffle House?

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

We go to breakfast maybe every 2-3 weeks after the night shift. I'm a firm believer in "if you don't ask, don't get mad." I'll be the first one to go get my own vitals in a iso room if I'm in there already, get 8pm blood sugars since I have meds to go give the same patients, bathe a patient if I'm caught up with my charting/charts/orders/etc., turn by self if able, assist with boosts, call lights, etc.

I second the one who said the worst nights are the ones where somebody is going down, but nobody else knows. Our unit clerk goes home usually at 10-11pm, and after that point we are on our own. I'll enter orders, call docs if need be, answer lights, etc. I will do what I can when I'm in a room that I answered the light on. It makes a huge difference when people help out.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

Yeah, but we work nights in a small southern town. The only thing we could do is go buy a six pack and drink it in the Walmart parking lot. Not a bright idea at 7 am, especially as everyone in town would see us, and our phones would be ringing before we got home....

And I love a good 'rita, made with Hurradurra Silver, Cointreau, and just a splash of peach schnapps. Just not at 7 am....

Maybe we could do waffles at the Waffle House?

Oh heck yeah! Smothered and covered, baby!

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

There is a buffet of food on the night shift. The experienced night shifters have been doing it for ages!

[Poi Dog]

It is refreshing to read positive stories about coworkers for a change :cheers: