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?

Davey Do · Mar 23, 2017

Ditto.

Sour Lemon · Mar 23, 2017

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

Libby1987 · Mar 23, 2017

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

fezz · Mar 23, 2017

My threshold for calling it a great shift is a bit lower I think â˜ºï¸ 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.

cleback · Mar 23, 2017

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.

NICUNurseEliz · Mar 23, 2017

When I get to eat during my shift.

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 23, 2017

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.

quazar · Mar 23, 2017

When I get to eat during my shift.

Yes, this is always nice.

Being able to have a cup of hot coffee on your shift is also a little luxury.

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 know exactly the kind of hand off you are talking about, and it is such a buzz kill. The oncoming nurse nitpicks on stupid, stupid STUPID stuff, and you kinda want to just squint at them and say, "does giving good care even matter to you or is it all only about checking boxes and forms?" Then smack them in the head with the clip board. Oh sorry, lost myself there for a sec.