What makes you say/think "it was a good shift?"

My spouse was asking this question the other day, and my response was this: I felt like I had the time and energy to give good, compassionate, solid patient care. I felt like I was a good nurse and made a real difference. I felt like I did a good job providing care to my patient, and that my charting was excellent and detailed. I felt like I had the time I needed to get everything done, and left the hospital leaving nothing left undone. I was able to do the little things as well as the big things.

What about you?

16 Answers

Potluck and no admissions .....bonus if time "springs ahead" and shortens the day by an hour!!

I was able to make something happen. That fuels me in the best way and keeps me coming back for more.

My threshold for calling it a great shift is a bit lower I think ☺️ If my time management was ok and there was no surprises or unexpected events (does that ever happen) then I'd call it a good shift. That usually means I had time to do all those things that makes me love nursing. One thing though, a perfectly good shift can easily feel less great if the handover goes poorly. Some nurses seems to be experts in digging out things I could have done but didn't and then I'm left feeling bad after all. I have decided that all I can do about that is try not to be that nurse myself when I'm getting handover.

Get in an IV just by feel.

Notify the doc of a change in conditon that gets actual orders, not just a "continue to monitor."

Precept a student... I usually enjoy doing that. Makes me remember how much I know.

If I send someone to the ER to be evaluated, that they get admitted. Of course, not good for the patient but I hate sending people if they don't need it.

I think I have low threshold too. Must be the secret to job contentment.

Specializes in Pediatrics, NICU.

When I get to eat during my shift. ;)

Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

1). Nobody died (except that guy on comfort care, but he just quetly slipped away, with no pain and with his kids sitting near and holding his hands).

2). Everybody was happy (within reasons)

3). Everything worked (again, within reasons. And I put that IV in, too).

4). Nobody was coded or otherwise dragged STAT anywhere with basically unknown purpose.

5). Docs were there and listened to what I had to tell them.

6). Families were teacheable, polite and reasonable in their expectations.

7). The Powers were somewhere else

8). I had enough CNAs, and they were doing their job as I was doing mine.

Specializes in School Nursing, Hospice,Med-Surg.

As a school nurse: no one threw up and, if they did, they hit the garbage can or it at least happened somewhere besides my clinic.

I didn't get cranky or frustrated with my students all day long.

Specializes in CVICU CCRN.

I get to throughly chart... I love the satisfaction of having all the t's crossed.

Theres a good code on another unit and the team rocks it. (I don't want you to code, I just want to be there if you do!)

My patients are tucked and fluffed and my room is pretty and stocked at the end of the day.

That hot cup of coffee tho' --- time for that makes it a GREAAT day :)

Specializes in Neuroscience.

When I have time to provide education to my patients/family. I find that makes all the difference in the world.

Specializes in ER/SICU/House Float.

a good shift is when I actually get to leave the unit for lunch and a couple of breaks. You know like every working person. We are by law suppose to get breaks and lunch -right- I heard that some where LOL I know been waiting for this to happen on a regular base for 25 years

Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

If my patients make it to 705, warm, pink and dry.

All the other things listed make it a great shift.

Specializes in Pushing a rock ....

No one died, fell, played in their poop, I didn't slip in a puddle on the floor, no new orders, had enough staff, was able to break and eat, shift change went smoothly, narc count was correct, no blood given, machine's worked, I didn't get socked, no arguments with the ancillary services, no visitors, etc. etc ... hell, I can dream can't I? 😳

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