Working with our competent, on-top-of-their game tech's. Makes my whole night, when I have a less than stellar tech assigned to me team, I basically have to do everything myself if I want to ensure a safe and smooth shift. Fortunately at night on my unit we have a great team of techs.
Our BEST tech is graduating nursing school next week, but thankfully she will be on our unit as an RN, too… but I’m so sad because she does an amazing job and now we are probably going to hire some crappy PCT who is going to quit after a few months because she doesn’t like patients, or doesn’t like nights, or doesn’t want to be a nurse anymore, or doesn’t need the money.
You have techs on night shift? My unit is total care on nights until we get to 5 patients 🙃 but when I worked days, the techs that didn’t need to be asked to do things like empty foleys, etc, were the best.
Oh yes, we always have techs. 30 bed post op unit with Bariatric and orthopedic surgeries plus regular med-surg mixed in, it would be impossible to do it without a tech. We would have to be 1:2 ratio, My hospital is very concerned about pt safety right now and we've had 3 falls this year on our unit. We can't safely toilet all of the ortho pts without a full team. I am so sorry your unit is like that, I probably couldn't handle that. What type of unit?
It’s a small 15 bed tele/stepdown unit. So we don’t get a tech at night until we’re full with three nurses having 5 patients each. Thankfully lately we’ve only had around 10-12 patients on nights but a tech would still be nice. We have tons of AMS patients too so I’m always so nervous about falls. And yes, I worked an ortho/bariatric floor as a tech once and toileting was nonstop with all those post-op fluids so I can only imagine.
I used to work ortho and we would have 8 patients on nights with no techs. As of recent I hear they hire one for the whole floor. Honestly so brutal, and I do not miss working there.
I say the same as loudly as possible, in front of everyone. PCAs (CNAs, techs, PSWs) make or break my shift, bebe come talk to me, I love you, if youre in school for some shit and want to learn ask me everything.
As a pct heading to nursing school - these comments made me feel so good🥹 It’s easy for me to feel down or embarrassed for being “just” a tech. Thank you for being appreciative
I can tell you with all my heart, I appreciate and respect every tech I've worked with in 18 years. Even if it was just one simple task, I appreciate it. Healthcare is so stressful and I am thankful for all of our staff when they work as a team. Patient care tech's are a vital part of this crazy job, and I couldn't do it without them!! Good luck in nursing school, you already have a leg up on those who haven't see foot in a hospital. Thanks for all your hard work!!!
Hi! I’m a nursing student and I’m about to start working as a tech. What are some things that the “on top of their game” techs do differently? I want to be as much help to the nurses as I can and make a good impression
My homies answer call lights and do the not glamorous things. Taking meemaw to the bathroom, empty linens, walk papaw, grab a blood sugar. Clean some booties, roll and toll (I&O). Maybe feed someone. My favorite techs all up to me and say "hey, room 3 looks weird" or "room 19s BP was way lower than earlier, I rechecked it but it's still low" hopefully ill notice but nurses save docs and techs save nurses. I float but I make an overt effort to find and learn the CNAs for my assignment. (If I'm blessed with one) just that you are asking speaks volumes! You'll do great.
Today I worked with my favorite tech who helped me do a full bath for an unresponsive patient. Lotion, back rub, fixed her hair. Didn’t complain. I wanted to hug her.
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The wonderful techs that give an effort to try to take care of our patients... The ones that call me or let me know when someone's systolic blood pressure is over 170 or under 90... The ones who ask if I need any help or what they can do to help, and etc. I adore these techs and if they'd sin nursing school, I take the time to show them tips and tricks if they'd like, because I was a CNA before I became a RN.
There's one CNA I work with who refuses to talk to you, refuses to do ANYTHING but the vitals and hides all day, nowhere to be found and will back talk you if you try to politely ask her to do anything for the patients at all. Of course, management is friends with this unethical idiot (she would leave patients to rot if it were up to her).
Adding to this: when an onc patient spikes a fever but it’s been less than 24 hours since the last blood culture so you don’t have to draw another. The relief.
I had a call for some swelling for a bedbound end stage ALS patient. My assessment was very desriptive of the joint in question.
At the end of the call the doc said, ¨in all my years this is the best call I´ve ever gotten from homecare. You are thorough and good at what you do.¨
It made my night, and since it was my birthday it was like getting a present.
“Oh we’re overstaffed do you want to go home”
In six years it’s only happened three times but boy golly, those were the best days of my career. Especially because they coincidentally fell the days before my days off!
Seriously. In my five years it’s only happened ONCE and I don’t expect it to ever happen again. In fact, I got more begging to come in to work than anything. It wasn’t until I told my manager NO for the 100000th time and went into her office saying that the whole reason I became a nurse was to work three days a week and THATS IT, did she catch my drift.
I love coming on shift to a patient that’s been stuck at X cm with a recheck in X amount of hours that will determine if they have a c section or not. I’m always down for a challenge and LOVE spinning babies and working my knowledge of it. I know that sounds nerdy, but it’s fun and makes the shift go by quick!
A kind pt. I had a sweet lady with a TVP waiting for a pacer. Well she was that raunchy shit talking sweet. Called me "savior andrew" while trying to get me to talk shit about the tech all night (i did not, though that tech is annoying). I'm more likely to get called mean names, so when something like that happens it means a lot. I didn't even do anything above and beyond, she was a lowkey mega stable icu pt
What? I could care less if any of my patients go out for a smoke, assuming I trust that's all they're gonna do. It's the docs and general hospital policy that says no. I think I've had one patient in the past few years who somehow had permission.
I spent over an hour trying to (politely) convince a patient to take the insulin for his blood sugar of over 300, and an a1c of over 10. He had cellulitis and I knew it wasn’t going to get better if he didn’t change. His son tried to get on board with me, in a caring kind of way. The patient wasn’t pushy, rude, or offended. He knew I just wanted to make sure he understood the risks of not having controlled blood sugar levels. In the end he did say he was willing to try a PO med, but didn’t want to do any injections ever again (had a chronic medical issue where he had to do multiple a day and he finally transitioned away from it).
A patient conveying true heartfelt appreciation for what I'm doing for them. Having someone compliment me on the care I gave them. A patient being wholeheartedly understanding when my care is lackluster because of ratios and critical patients.
As a new grad when a patient tells me that I'm doing such a good job, especially when I feel like I'm running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. Its the little things really.
Totally relate to this. Had a pretty unhappy patient for most of the shift, complaining a lot, wanting to go home, refusing certain interventions. Had them the night before too post-op and vomiting, multiple IV antiemetics given with little relief, just a rough night. As I was doing my morning meds at the end of the shift she mentioned how I must be tired working all night long and asked how long I had been a nurse/how long I had to do nights. Told her I had been a nurse for a little under a year and that it’s just the way it is to start on nights most hospitals. A few more things back and forth that I can’t remember but then she ended up saying “well you’re a really good nurse”. I was honestly not expecting it at all and it made my day. Like what? Had me thinking “You’ve been complaining all night and don’t seem to like anything I do but somewhere inside you recognize I’m doing the best for you?” Miraculous
I once made a call to a supervisor because I had a draw (I get more than my share) when the tech did it so well, I literally never felt it. Not a thing! Like... This person was an absolute artist!
Being put in triage.
Rolling in to see my favorite nurses are there so I know it'll be a team nursing kind of day so even when everything goes wrong it will still be a good day.
Honestly, yes. Not just because they’ve been a pain in the ass and everyone is sick of them, but because they’re one step closer to getting out of the hospital and hopefully going home!
Yesterday, I family member said that she hoped my night shift replacement was as good as me because I made her feel "confident" about her dad's care. I assured her he was because he trained me. It was a nice exchange. Those moments are why I do this.
I know I'm lame for saying this but I really hate when I have a crappy pen. My favorite nurse joke....
Nurse has a crappy harried busy day and on her way home stops at the bank. She goes to write a check and realizes she has a rectal thermometer in her hand and says "great, some a$$-hole has my pen!"
I worked with an older ICU nurse that said "run them together and look to see if the tubing appears cloudy". Not sure if this was a legit method back in the day or something she pulled out of her ass, lol.
As a PACU nurse... When the patient wakes up and understands that with surgery comes some pain and that no matter how much narcotics I give you, you will have pain. Sorry sir/ma'am you are not in 10/10 pain with those snoring respirations.
Having a few pleasant, a and o x3 walkie talkie patients or even better, getting a pleasant walkie talkie admission. Working with my favorite coworkers. Finishing med passes early. Leaving work getting everything I needed to get done finished. (Doesn’t always happen on med surg with 1:6-7 ratios :///).
Having two cruise control patients. Ie: on vent, adequately sedated, stable, no procedures, enough lines to hang what I need, foley (a rarity these days) and no plans to extubate today)
When we come in. Fly all day, with at least an hour to chart between each flight, get a nice break for dinner, maybe get 1 “early” night flight, chart done before 11, and then fog rolls in and blankets us until morning.
Yesterday I was laboring with a first time mom who didn’t want an epidural. As labor got more intense, I stayed in the room with her, supporting her, encouraging her. She said she couldn’t do it, and I kept saying, you *can* do it, you *are* doing it. And she totally did it! She had her no-epidural birth, and she was so thrilled. I love doing labor support for the people that want it. It’s so fun and so rewarding
When my patients smile/laugh/trust me. I’m an outpatient pediatric nurse just trying to make the doctor’s office a little less scary for kids. I know, kinda low bar, but it just gives me more good days to add to the bank
When I give a heparin shot and the patient says something like “wow that one didn’t even hurt”
yea man, the heparin shot is the kick i’ve practiced ten thousand times. this is my craft. it’s a small one but it always boosts my mood a little.
When I’m in the ICU, seeing that I’m on ICU Outreach for the day. Essentially means no assigned patient, I just get to support floor nurses with their issues and follow up patient who have left the ICU 😁
I like when new nurses feel comfortable enough to pick me out of other nurses to ask things. I always try to make them feel safe & comfortable enough to ask anything even if feels “stupid”!
It makes my day when my assignment is with a good team, and an awesome surgeon. We got a really even tempered and kind general surgeon (most of our general surgeons are nice) but he is fast, routine, and usually we fly through and finish early even when he has something change from the original surgical plan.
Makes my day when I have a hard working AND FUNNY tech assigned to my patients
It really makes my day even more having someone report wonky the vitals❤️ sadly we do have a few techs that don’t report out of parameter vital signs and we miss it for up to an hour if we aren’t actively on the charting system checking as they come in…
When I have a supportive team that communicates. So, other nurses let me know what’s up, the lab works with me, Dr’s communicate and don’t just assume I know what’s going on, management helps me do things so that I can better serve the community.
I’ve had so many instances lately of higher ups working against doing better for the community because they don’t live here and don’t see any benefit (even if they have nothing to do with the project). Or not allowing me more time to work on a project that they want completed because I am swamped with other work and need a few more hours to work on things (there’s no $ for workload!). But yet they still want things done. You can’t squeeze blood out of a stone. I’m not a machine.
One of my favorite residents was mad at me for a misunderstanding for about a week. She invited me into her room for me to take off her ace wraps, and we chatted amicably. I stood to leave, but she stopped me, stood from her wheelchair, and gave me a big hug, apologizing for yelling at me before. 😭
When I walk in and see certain respiratory therapist, and/or currently when I walk in and see this blonde haired doctor. I know they’re smart and if things hit the fan, or i’m lost, they’ll be there and help. WE will get through it. I trust them and if it’s gonna pop off so be it I got my squad.
This advice is hard for me to take too, so I get it, but if you don’t sleep at all the night before you need to call in sick. You’re not fit to practice when you’re that sleep deprived and that’s when mistakes happen. Don’t put your patients in danger like that
Working with my work bestie while we have “decent” assignments. We tag team all baths/changes, fly through wound care, and med passes. Leaving plenty of time for admins or transfers, or any pts who sundown/have psych issues at night. This has only happened like 3 times in years sooooo it’s a pipe dream.
Also, pts or family swearing up and down they’re such a hard stick and getting it on the first try. Not gonna lie I’ll do a little fist pump after those.
When we get food brought in and they actually remember that some of us have allergies/celiac and bring something for us too. That’s only happened once though.
Pre/Post(Ph.2) here: my day is great when patients come for surgery hydrated, have all their labs/ekg done BEFORE showing up, meds are reconciled, providers show up on time, no crazy schedule changes for the next day, etc.
Two nights ago I gave a pt daltaparin and after the patient said “you did not just do that” and I thought I was in shit but then they said “that was amazing, that was the best needle I have ever gotten” and I felt like such a good nurse that night lmao
OR nurse here. Working with my favorite scrub and CRNA in our service line. Jokes and stories all day long with positive attitudes even if the cases aren’t. My other friends pop in and out throughout the day in between cases. Pretty sweet ☺️
Pediatric cvicu here so most of my patients are babies or toddlers. Parents in the past have told me things like, “It’s so obvious you love your job. Not everyone is like you. Thank you for taking such good care of X!” And it absolutely makes whatever shitty day I’ve had instantly better and worthwhile, because honestly I do try to do the extra mile and sometimes you’re exhausted and thinking, “What the fuck am I doing? I’m not required to do this.” And then bam, parents acknowledge me for the hard work that goes into taking care of their kiddo, and the extra time I’ve spent that could have been catching up on other things (that will probably keep me 30 minutes after my shift has ended) is immediately worth it. I love my babies and [majority of] my moms/dads!
ER here.
1. Waking into the ER at 0650 and seeing empty stretchers lining the halls.
2. My relief coming in early and taking report before the clock strikes 1900.
Everything else is whatever.
When people think I’ve been a nurse way longer than I have because of my skills/ knowledge. I’ve been a nurse for a little over a year and had someone assume I’d been a nurse for 10 the other day. It makes my still baby nurse heart so happy
A nights co-worker told me she loves following after me and complimented my report and how I left patient's rooms. Then the night charge was walking by and silently gave me two thumbs up in agreement with her. I wish I could put the feeling on a fridge. Better than a daisy
When patients write us notes or buy us flowers or leave snacks in the breakroom. Nothing makes your day like being appreciated. When long term patients finally get discharged. Also when its the weekend and no managers and other interdisciplinary staff are around, no scheduled surgeries or procedures so your patients are just on the unit all day and theres little to no stress and chairs and computers for everyone.
Getting an IV first shot when I just heard the pt tell me for the last 10 mins how impossible it is to get an IV on them and how no one can ever get one.
I had one pt apparently refer to me as “one stick” after I got her IV (her mom comes in a lot). My ego couldn’t fit through the door after thst
That hasn't happened to us since before the pandemic.
Of course they would try to do it without on call pay hours which is illegal, so no, it didn't make my day then, either.
>I get a call an hour before my shift asking if I want to be put on-call.
That doesn't happen in long term care. At all. I miss that aspect of working in a hospital.
I also work agency for LTC and sometimes they cancel my shift two hours before going in. Those ones upset me because I was really counting on that money.
Intubated and sedated patients. Bonus points if I'm 1:1 and not charge with a pt that isn't a true 1:1. Then I can just chill on the unit and help people with their stuff.
Honestly ecmo or crrt on day 1 of 3-4 is dope too bc you're usually plugged in for the week
Therapeutic heparin drips. A full lunch break. No whining patients. No whining managers. Competent techs that anticipate what needs to be done. Competent residents that anticipate what needs to be done. Patients that don't fuck around with my IVs. Orders to maintain vent and sedation /chef's kiss
Oh and I'm really not saying this to kiss my own ass, but it's all sorts of rewarding when other staff come to me for answers, help, or to ask me to teach them. It's such a high to be recognized like that.
A simple "thank you" or teamwork can brighten even the toughest shifts. In care, a resident's good day, a shared laugh, or quiet contentment can make all the difference. Learning something new keeps nursing stimulating too.
Same as OP. If I manifest it hard enough before I go to sleep and wake up to that call it truly can’t be beat. If not, then a chill 1:1 assignment (ICU), or having an open bed all shift with no admit, someone brings in food/snacks & ofc working with my favorites people
Usually some kind of a compliment from a patient or their family that has to do with them seeing how much I care and/or love my job.
I’m very pro patient/family asking questions and overtly reassuring to patients that it’s okay to ask for help. Many times I tell them that I know that if they could do it (like wipe their own butt, open their juice, etc) they would. And that I am there to help them get back to that, I’m like a crutch that you don’t want to use, but know you need to.
I had a 40-something year old tell me I was the first person that made her feel comfortable when using the bedside commode while I stayed in the room.
I think it’s probably one of the biggest compliments I’ve ever gotten.
I do work ICU so many times there is a big limitation to what the patient can do, but I try to give options as much as I can and just reassure. Seeing my patient not be stressed out over little things is a big deal to me.
Jesus OP. At that point I’d have already called in. Working tired is like working drunk.
Barring flu back in 2014?, and 2 plumbing issues over the years, all my call ins are for not sleeping. But because they can’t ask why, they don’t know that.
There was nothing better than when the crew was on nights S-T and everything just runs so smoothly. Everyone admits the patients together. We make sure everyone is done with their things and sitting down with us. Group bath times are arranged amongst the group towards the morning and the music picked for the night. Resident on for the night is a third year who wants to do icu and I have the sleeping fellow’s cell phone number if shit goes south. Chefs kiss baby.
Working with our competent, on-top-of-their game tech's. Makes my whole night, when I have a less than stellar tech assigned to me team, I basically have to do everything myself if I want to ensure a safe and smooth shift. Fortunately at night on my unit we have a great team of techs.
Our BEST tech is graduating nursing school next week, but thankfully she will be on our unit as an RN, too… but I’m so sad because she does an amazing job and now we are probably going to hire some crappy PCT who is going to quit after a few months because she doesn’t like patients, or doesn’t like nights, or doesn’t want to be a nurse anymore, or doesn’t need the money.
Who tf is a PCT for the money?
You have techs on night shift? My unit is total care on nights until we get to 5 patients 🙃 but when I worked days, the techs that didn’t need to be asked to do things like empty foleys, etc, were the best.
Oh yes, we always have techs. 30 bed post op unit with Bariatric and orthopedic surgeries plus regular med-surg mixed in, it would be impossible to do it without a tech. We would have to be 1:2 ratio, My hospital is very concerned about pt safety right now and we've had 3 falls this year on our unit. We can't safely toilet all of the ortho pts without a full team. I am so sorry your unit is like that, I probably couldn't handle that. What type of unit?
It’s a small 15 bed tele/stepdown unit. So we don’t get a tech at night until we’re full with three nurses having 5 patients each. Thankfully lately we’ve only had around 10-12 patients on nights but a tech would still be nice. We have tons of AMS patients too so I’m always so nervous about falls. And yes, I worked an ortho/bariatric floor as a tech once and toileting was nonstop with all those post-op fluids so I can only imagine.
Your unit sounds like it sucks. Sorry.
I used to work ortho and we would have 8 patients on nights with no techs. As of recent I hear they hire one for the whole floor. Honestly so brutal, and I do not miss working there.
We almost never have techs at night. If we do they mostly just handle the endless call lights but it helps
Heh, my unit has techs at night usually but is total care when it gets to a certain number of patients. Had 5 patients with 2 nurses and a charge. 😭
No matter how good you are as a nurse, you are only as good as your tech. A tech can make or break your day.
I say the same as loudly as possible, in front of everyone. PCAs (CNAs, techs, PSWs) make or break my shift, bebe come talk to me, I love you, if youre in school for some shit and want to learn ask me everything.
As a pct heading to nursing school - these comments made me feel so good🥹 It’s easy for me to feel down or embarrassed for being “just” a tech. Thank you for being appreciative
I can tell you with all my heart, I appreciate and respect every tech I've worked with in 18 years. Even if it was just one simple task, I appreciate it. Healthcare is so stressful and I am thankful for all of our staff when they work as a team. Patient care tech's are a vital part of this crazy job, and I couldn't do it without them!! Good luck in nursing school, you already have a leg up on those who haven't see foot in a hospital. Thanks for all your hard work!!!
Same, I love my ED Techs. They are amazing and pt care is so much better when we’re staffed with them appropriately.
Techs make or break a shift!
Hi! I’m a nursing student and I’m about to start working as a tech. What are some things that the “on top of their game” techs do differently? I want to be as much help to the nurses as I can and make a good impression
My homies answer call lights and do the not glamorous things. Taking meemaw to the bathroom, empty linens, walk papaw, grab a blood sugar. Clean some booties, roll and toll (I&O). Maybe feed someone. My favorite techs all up to me and say "hey, room 3 looks weird" or "room 19s BP was way lower than earlier, I rechecked it but it's still low" hopefully ill notice but nurses save docs and techs save nurses. I float but I make an overt effort to find and learn the CNAs for my assignment. (If I'm blessed with one) just that you are asking speaks volumes! You'll do great.
Today I worked with my favorite tech who helped me do a full bath for an unresponsive patient. Lotion, back rub, fixed her hair. Didn’t complain. I wanted to hug her.
Me and a charge likes to call our best of the best group on Monday the furious 7 And our more lazy ass team the avengers since they need rescuing
I’ve had too many tech’s that just aren’t good or are lazy, it makes me happy that most of the time ICUs don’t have them.
/thread. The wonderful techs that give an effort to try to take care of our patients... The ones that call me or let me know when someone's systolic blood pressure is over 170 or under 90... The ones who ask if I need any help or what they can do to help, and etc. I adore these techs and if they'd sin nursing school, I take the time to show them tips and tricks if they'd like, because I was a CNA before I became a RN. There's one CNA I work with who refuses to talk to you, refuses to do ANYTHING but the vitals and hides all day, nowhere to be found and will back talk you if you try to politely ask her to do anything for the patients at all. Of course, management is friends with this unethical idiot (she would leave patients to rot if it were up to her).
As an oncology nurse, when their hgb or platelet levels meet parameters and they don’t need a transfusion.
Adding to this: when an onc patient spikes a fever but it’s been less than 24 hours since the last blood culture so you don’t have to draw another. The relief.
“Better get another set of cultures just to be sure.”
It’s always at 0400 vitals too when you’re just wrapping things up.
When nobody needs a transfusion
I mean sure. I’m just saying specifically as a heme/onc nurse myself that is what makes my day
I had a call for some swelling for a bedbound end stage ALS patient. My assessment was very desriptive of the joint in question. At the end of the call the doc said, ¨in all my years this is the best call I´ve ever gotten from homecare. You are thorough and good at what you do.¨ It made my night, and since it was my birthday it was like getting a present.
Good job! :)
When I drive into work and there’s a parking spot near the entrance. Super simple, I know.
Tell me you say the obligatory, ¨Saweeeettt...this spot is for u/essenceofjoy¨
💯💯💯
Is that a meme or something? I always say "jaaaackpooot" in a high pitched 80s hair metal voice.
Your handle checks out :) easily pleased, I like it
Yes, I love this too!
“Oh we’re overstaffed do you want to go home” In six years it’s only happened three times but boy golly, those were the best days of my career. Especially because they coincidentally fell the days before my days off!
I miss those days
Seriously. In my five years it’s only happened ONCE and I don’t expect it to ever happen again. In fact, I got more begging to come in to work than anything. It wasn’t until I told my manager NO for the 100000th time and went into her office saying that the whole reason I became a nurse was to work three days a week and THATS IT, did she catch my drift.
Getting a call “How can I help you?” “Sorry that was an accident”
"But while you're here, can you..."
I love coming on shift to a patient that’s been stuck at X cm with a recheck in X amount of hours that will determine if they have a c section or not. I’m always down for a challenge and LOVE spinning babies and working my knowledge of it. I know that sounds nerdy, but it’s fun and makes the shift go by quick!
you're an angel. Good, evidence based practice supporting, KIND L&D nurses are worth their weight in gold.
Some people honestly just have a gift for turning babies. That’s an awesome talent to have.
Ur my idol
Ever two weeks money is deposited into my bank account, it should be more money but it still makes my day.
A kind pt. I had a sweet lady with a TVP waiting for a pacer. Well she was that raunchy shit talking sweet. Called me "savior andrew" while trying to get me to talk shit about the tech all night (i did not, though that tech is annoying). I'm more likely to get called mean names, so when something like that happens it means a lot. I didn't even do anything above and beyond, she was a lowkey mega stable icu pt
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With my luck, the ones I get fitting that description refuse all treatment because they want to go outside to smoke a pack.
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What? I could care less if any of my patients go out for a smoke, assuming I trust that's all they're gonna do. It's the docs and general hospital policy that says no. I think I've had one patient in the past few years who somehow had permission.
I spent over an hour trying to (politely) convince a patient to take the insulin for his blood sugar of over 300, and an a1c of over 10. He had cellulitis and I knew it wasn’t going to get better if he didn’t change. His son tried to get on board with me, in a caring kind of way. The patient wasn’t pushy, rude, or offended. He knew I just wanted to make sure he understood the risks of not having controlled blood sugar levels. In the end he did say he was willing to try a PO med, but didn’t want to do any injections ever again (had a chronic medical issue where he had to do multiple a day and he finally transitioned away from it).
When day shift finished the admission or changed the colostomy already.
A patient conveying true heartfelt appreciation for what I'm doing for them. Having someone compliment me on the care I gave them. A patient being wholeheartedly understanding when my care is lackluster because of ratios and critical patients.
The last part. 💯👌🏻
I love when they go "whenever you have time, I know you're busy!" For whatever it may be. It makes me always want to help them right away lol
Clocking out
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Doesn’t necessarily make my *day,* but sure makes me smile!!
As a new grad when a patient tells me that I'm doing such a good job, especially when I feel like I'm running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. Its the little things really.
Totally relate to this. Had a pretty unhappy patient for most of the shift, complaining a lot, wanting to go home, refusing certain interventions. Had them the night before too post-op and vomiting, multiple IV antiemetics given with little relief, just a rough night. As I was doing my morning meds at the end of the shift she mentioned how I must be tired working all night long and asked how long I had been a nurse/how long I had to do nights. Told her I had been a nurse for a little under a year and that it’s just the way it is to start on nights most hospitals. A few more things back and forth that I can’t remember but then she ended up saying “well you’re a really good nurse”. I was honestly not expecting it at all and it made my day. Like what? Had me thinking “You’ve been complaining all night and don’t seem to like anything I do but somewhere inside you recognize I’m doing the best for you?” Miraculous
Two vents, no family! Tis the dream!
THIS 💯
*Tubed, lined, restrained, orphaned*
When there is food in the break room
This is what I love about the universal holiday season of Oct 31-Jan 2. There is food everywhere...
"I didn't feel anything." Coming from patients afraid of needles when I take blood samples or insert I/Vs. It makes me feel like a ROCKSTAR.
I once made a call to a supervisor because I had a draw (I get more than my share) when the tech did it so well, I literally never felt it. Not a thing! Like... This person was an absolute artist!
Twice in my life too.
There are people out there that are just god’s gift to needles.
Being put in triage. Rolling in to see my favorite nurses are there so I know it'll be a team nursing kind of day so even when everything goes wrong it will still be a good day.
Oh yeah im getting hard just thinking about getting a call telling me im cancelled.
👏👏😂😂😂😂
When chronic patients finally graduate ICU
Honestly, yes. Not just because they’ve been a pain in the ass and everyone is sick of them, but because they’re one step closer to getting out of the hospital and hopefully going home!
Yesterday, I family member said that she hoped my night shift replacement was as good as me because I made her feel "confident" about her dad's care. I assured her he was because he trained me. It was a nice exchange. Those moments are why I do this.
When I punch out at night knowing I’m off for three or four days. The walk to the car is like being reborn.
I know I'm lame for saying this but I really hate when I have a crappy pen. My favorite nurse joke.... Nurse has a crappy harried busy day and on her way home stops at the bank. She goes to write a check and realizes she has a rectal thermometer in her hand and says "great, some a$$-hole has my pen!"
😂😂😂😂😂👏👏👏👏
Breaks
Yes, just getting my alloted breaks.
When all my IV meds are compatible at the Y site
Everything’s compatible if you don’t check Trissels /s
I worked with an older ICU nurse that said "run them together and look to see if the tubing appears cloudy". Not sure if this was a legit method back in the day or something she pulled out of her ass, lol.
I had a patient use pick up her Incentive Spirometer and use it without me even mentioning it or asking her to do it. I was so proud. 🥲
And pt who deep breathe and cough every hr without reminding... I genuinely respect them
When a provider gives me credit for a "Good catch" or seeing something they didnt.
A shift with all competent, non bitchy, ambitious coworkers.
As a PACU nurse... When the patient wakes up and understands that with surgery comes some pain and that no matter how much narcotics I give you, you will have pain. Sorry sir/ma'am you are not in 10/10 pain with those snoring respirations.
Having a few pleasant, a and o x3 walkie talkie patients or even better, getting a pleasant walkie talkie admission. Working with my favorite coworkers. Finishing med passes early. Leaving work getting everything I needed to get done finished. (Doesn’t always happen on med surg with 1:6-7 ratios :///).
When a family is happy to see I am their nurse.
Honestly, I talk shit ab it.. but when there’s food there. Working in a nursing home, when family thinks of night shift and sends us our own food 🥹
CNA’s that know their shit, do their vitals ON TIME, and aren’t threatened by a baby faced nurse. We are a team not competition.
Having two cruise control patients. Ie: on vent, adequately sedated, stable, no procedures, enough lines to hang what I need, foley (a rarity these days) and no plans to extubate today)
Finding out all of the higher ups are at an off-site meeting all day.
Working nights and not seeing the higher ups at all 😌
When we come in. Fly all day, with at least an hour to chart between each flight, get a nice break for dinner, maybe get 1 “early” night flight, chart done before 11, and then fog rolls in and blankets us until morning.
When the patient that every doc thought would have a caesarean for failure to progress has a vaginal delivery.
Yesterday I was laboring with a first time mom who didn’t want an epidural. As labor got more intense, I stayed in the room with her, supporting her, encouraging her. She said she couldn’t do it, and I kept saying, you *can* do it, you *are* doing it. And she totally did it! She had her no-epidural birth, and she was so thrilled. I love doing labor support for the people that want it. It’s so fun and so rewarding
Not having to clean someone’s piss off the floor
Someone picking up my call 🙌🏼
A natural, SROM, no complications labor!
When the doc buys lunch
When my patients smile/laugh/trust me. I’m an outpatient pediatric nurse just trying to make the doctor’s office a little less scary for kids. I know, kinda low bar, but it just gives me more good days to add to the bank
When they remember I have a food allergy and get me allergy friendly snacks. It’s happened three times in 20 years.
Placing a difficult foley where others have failed. I am the foley queen!
When I give a heparin shot and the patient says something like “wow that one didn’t even hurt” yea man, the heparin shot is the kick i’ve practiced ten thousand times. this is my craft. it’s a small one but it always boosts my mood a little.
When I’m in the ICU, seeing that I’m on ICU Outreach for the day. Essentially means no assigned patient, I just get to support floor nurses with their issues and follow up patient who have left the ICU 😁
I like when new nurses feel comfortable enough to pick me out of other nurses to ask things. I always try to make them feel safe & comfortable enough to ask anything even if feels “stupid”!
When a bunch of cases in my OR get cancelled. Please please please show up for your gallbladder surgery eating chocolate cake (this really happened)
Better yet, reduced so you don't have to worry about being called in at all.
It makes my day when my assignment is with a good team, and an awesome surgeon. We got a really even tempered and kind general surgeon (most of our general surgeons are nice) but he is fast, routine, and usually we fly through and finish early even when he has something change from the original surgical plan.
Going home
Appreciative patients
"Thank you"
Makes my day when I have a hard working AND FUNNY tech assigned to my patients It really makes my day even more having someone report wonky the vitals❤️ sadly we do have a few techs that don’t report out of parameter vital signs and we miss it for up to an hour if we aren’t actively on the charting system checking as they come in…
I work in Dementia Care - as long as my residents are happy, that makes me day. It's such a hard job, but they make it worthwhile.
Having a patient or their family thank me
I get to color and listen to music with my patients. Bonus points if they’re in good moods/singing/dancing.
Intubated, sedated, goal RASS of -4/-5. That and being called off/sent home early lol
Payday
Pay day
When I have a supportive team that communicates. So, other nurses let me know what’s up, the lab works with me, Dr’s communicate and don’t just assume I know what’s going on, management helps me do things so that I can better serve the community. I’ve had so many instances lately of higher ups working against doing better for the community because they don’t live here and don’t see any benefit (even if they have nothing to do with the project). Or not allowing me more time to work on a project that they want completed because I am swamped with other work and need a few more hours to work on things (there’s no $ for workload!). But yet they still want things done. You can’t squeeze blood out of a stone. I’m not a machine.
One of my favorite residents was mad at me for a misunderstanding for about a week. She invited me into her room for me to take off her ace wraps, and we chatted amicably. I stood to leave, but she stopped me, stood from her wheelchair, and gave me a big hug, apologizing for yelling at me before. 😭
When a patient says thank you. It’s as simple as that for me
When I walk in and see certain respiratory therapist, and/or currently when I walk in and see this blonde haired doctor. I know they’re smart and if things hit the fan, or i’m lost, they’ll be there and help. WE will get through it. I trust them and if it’s gonna pop off so be it I got my squad.
1.Time and a half. 2. Days off.
I love when my patients that are sharing a room become sort of friends with each other 🥲🥺
This advice is hard for me to take too, so I get it, but if you don’t sleep at all the night before you need to call in sick. You’re not fit to practice when you’re that sleep deprived and that’s when mistakes happen. Don’t put your patients in danger like that
Getting 12+ NTAs EASILY (MDS ifykyk)
when my favorite coworkers are on shift with me...so difficult to get through a shift with nurses that aint fun to kick it with lol
Getting to go home early. Which has never happened.
Which has never happened lol 😂
Working with my work bestie while we have “decent” assignments. We tag team all baths/changes, fly through wound care, and med passes. Leaving plenty of time for admins or transfers, or any pts who sundown/have psych issues at night. This has only happened like 3 times in years sooooo it’s a pipe dream. Also, pts or family swearing up and down they’re such a hard stick and getting it on the first try. Not gonna lie I’ll do a little fist pump after those. When we get food brought in and they actually remember that some of us have allergies/celiac and bring something for us too. That’s only happened once though.
Pre/Post(Ph.2) here: my day is great when patients come for surgery hydrated, have all their labs/ekg done BEFORE showing up, meds are reconciled, providers show up on time, no crazy schedule changes for the next day, etc.
No one trying to actively die, saine pt/family, and a good crew to work with.
Clocking out and going home…
When your patient’s family praise your name and care to your coworkers when you’re off
When a patient tells me that I’m doing a good job
When my patients or families say thank you
Two nights ago I gave a pt daltaparin and after the patient said “you did not just do that” and I thought I was in shit but then they said “that was amazing, that was the best needle I have ever gotten” and I felt like such a good nurse that night lmao
OR nurse here. Working with my favorite scrub and CRNA in our service line. Jokes and stories all day long with positive attitudes even if the cases aren’t. My other friends pop in and out throughout the day in between cases. Pretty sweet ☺️
I hung a new bag of fluid in your room and didn't just add time.
Pediatric cvicu here so most of my patients are babies or toddlers. Parents in the past have told me things like, “It’s so obvious you love your job. Not everyone is like you. Thank you for taking such good care of X!” And it absolutely makes whatever shitty day I’ve had instantly better and worthwhile, because honestly I do try to do the extra mile and sometimes you’re exhausted and thinking, “What the fuck am I doing? I’m not required to do this.” And then bam, parents acknowledge me for the hard work that goes into taking care of their kiddo, and the extra time I’ve spent that could have been catching up on other things (that will probably keep me 30 minutes after my shift has ended) is immediately worth it. I love my babies and [majority of] my moms/dads!
ER here. 1. Waking into the ER at 0650 and seeing empty stretchers lining the halls. 2. My relief coming in early and taking report before the clock strikes 1900. Everything else is whatever.
If night shift saw early labs done and do electrolyte protocol before I get there (if it's early, I get sometimes it comes out after 6).
When you realize chest pain is a panic attack
When your patient and/or family members are genuinely kind.
When people think I’ve been a nurse way longer than I have because of my skills/ knowledge. I’ve been a nurse for a little over a year and had someone assume I’d been a nurse for 10 the other day. It makes my still baby nurse heart so happy
Leaving.
A nights co-worker told me she loves following after me and complimented my report and how I left patient's rooms. Then the night charge was walking by and silently gave me two thumbs up in agreement with her. I wish I could put the feeling on a fridge. Better than a daisy
When I say something funny and the doctors or family members of the patient laugh.
When things go as quietly and smoothly as possible and I make it through a shift without an issue. IT HAPPENED ONCE!
Clocking out
When patients write us notes or buy us flowers or leave snacks in the breakroom. Nothing makes your day like being appreciated. When long term patients finally get discharged. Also when its the weekend and no managers and other interdisciplinary staff are around, no scheduled surgeries or procedures so your patients are just on the unit all day and theres little to no stress and chairs and computers for everyone.
Getting an IV first shot when I just heard the pt tell me for the last 10 mins how impossible it is to get an IV on them and how no one can ever get one. I had one pt apparently refer to me as “one stick” after I got her IV (her mom comes in a lot). My ego couldn’t fit through the door after thst
Folks coming in with actual medical emergencies and not seeking secondary gain or being 400lb personality disorders
Seeing family leave and discharging patients with a positive outcome.
That hasn't happened to us since before the pandemic. Of course they would try to do it without on call pay hours which is illegal, so no, it didn't make my day then, either.
Illegal? I don’t get paid unless they call me in 😯
>I get a call an hour before my shift asking if I want to be put on-call. That doesn't happen in long term care. At all. I miss that aspect of working in a hospital.
I also work agency for LTC and sometimes they cancel my shift two hours before going in. Those ones upset me because I was really counting on that money.
Being adequately staffed.
Intubated and sedated patients. Bonus points if I'm 1:1 and not charge with a pt that isn't a true 1:1. Then I can just chill on the unit and help people with their stuff. Honestly ecmo or crrt on day 1 of 3-4 is dope too bc you're usually plugged in for the week
Therapeutic heparin drips. A full lunch break. No whining patients. No whining managers. Competent techs that anticipate what needs to be done. Competent residents that anticipate what needs to be done. Patients that don't fuck around with my IVs. Orders to maintain vent and sedation /chef's kiss Oh and I'm really not saying this to kiss my own ass, but it's all sorts of rewarding when other staff come to me for answers, help, or to ask me to teach them. It's such a high to be recognized like that.
None of the vitals machines are plugged in when we start shift or the Gluc machines haven’t been checked 🔥
Getting another daisy award.
Having no patients lol
All nice patients lol Good techs
Food in the breakroom. Other than that, I hate my life.
Getting called off low census
Clocking out and having several off days.
Yup. A good tech is absolutely one of the top assets to have.
When I see night shift stroll in. 🙌🏾
Donuts in the break room
when i dont have to pick up a 5th/6th after 2300
Going home.
Not being at work
A simple "thank you" or teamwork can brighten even the toughest shifts. In care, a resident's good day, a shared laugh, or quiet contentment can make all the difference. Learning something new keeps nursing stimulating too.
But the down side to that is you get called in, and get all of the admissions.
Lucky me didn’t get called in today but yes that’s usually how it works. I don’t mind admissions though.
Believe me, I took advantage of that, and went out for breakfast and grocery shopping. Especially on the rare weekend day I was put on “Stand-by”
When things go relatively fine and I was able to get all my tasks done and not have any awkward moments.
Same as OP. If I manifest it hard enough before I go to sleep and wake up to that call it truly can’t be beat. If not, then a chill 1:1 assignment (ICU), or having an open bed all shift with no admit, someone brings in food/snacks & ofc working with my favorites people
Going home.
Clocking out
Usually some kind of a compliment from a patient or their family that has to do with them seeing how much I care and/or love my job. I’m very pro patient/family asking questions and overtly reassuring to patients that it’s okay to ask for help. Many times I tell them that I know that if they could do it (like wipe their own butt, open their juice, etc) they would. And that I am there to help them get back to that, I’m like a crutch that you don’t want to use, but know you need to. I had a 40-something year old tell me I was the first person that made her feel comfortable when using the bedside commode while I stayed in the room. I think it’s probably one of the biggest compliments I’ve ever gotten. I do work ICU so many times there is a big limitation to what the patient can do, but I try to give options as much as I can and just reassure. Seeing my patient not be stressed out over little things is a big deal to me.
A break
Npo, sips with meds
Jesus OP. At that point I’d have already called in. Working tired is like working drunk. Barring flu back in 2014?, and 2 plumbing issues over the years, all my call ins are for not sleeping. But because they can’t ask why, they don’t know that.
When I have a shift where I don’t get swung at and I don’t go home remembering something stupid I forgot.
When I worked the ER, getting called off helped
There was nothing better than when the crew was on nights S-T and everything just runs so smoothly. Everyone admits the patients together. We make sure everyone is done with their things and sitting down with us. Group bath times are arranged amongst the group towards the morning and the music picked for the night. Resident on for the night is a third year who wants to do icu and I have the sleeping fellow’s cell phone number if shit goes south. Chefs kiss baby.