Nurses need to have good days every once and a while, and though this is fundamental and quite deserved it still seems to be a problem at times. For example, when the very rare occasion occurs that a nurse has an awesome day looks of disdain from others may accompany it. When the planets align just right, and definitely when the moon is no longer full, an uncommon occurrence of stillness may enter a nurse’s world. He/she will find themselves smack dab in the middle of a good day, and though I almost cringe to use the word quiet, even in the form of typed text, that is exactly what it is. Beautiful, welcoming quiet.
For some odd reason when this rarity takes place people are unsure what to make of it. Some nurses sit on edge waiting for the other shoe to drop, and they miss the glorious gift that is a good day. Some in management may feel the urge to find their staff something to do, or even worse may be the reactions of those around the vicinity of these usually busy nurses. They will stare squint-eyed and suspicious while the normally hard working staff sit in actual chairs or pause to tell a joke or two.
For some strange reason when the typically fast-moving nurse is seen being stationary it is assumed that they are likely shirking their duty, or perhaps even being careless in their vocation, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. They are simply recharging their battery for the days ahead as it is certain the future won’t allow sitting, or especially leisurely bathroom breaks.
Nurses need good days to help neutralize the chaos that usually persists in the nursing profession, and if you just so happen to catch your nurse on a good day then some understanding as to why this is needed is nice.
If you’re not a nurse then perhaps this example might put it into perspective for you.
Imagine that when you go to leave the house tomorrow morning you find your gas tank is on empty causing you a detour for a fill-up that you were not prepared to make. Then imagine that after the pitstop you come upon the biggest traffic jam ever.
Simultaneously you realize your socks don’t match, and you forgot your cell phone at home. You’re running late, but there’s no one that can do anything to make this better for you.
Imagine that the radio stops working, and the seatbelt is really cutting into your bladder while you sit motionless behind a never-ending line of cars. You have to pee so bad you can taste it, and it flashes through you mind for a moment to try and go in that empty Dr Pepper bottle. After all, desperation is your middle name.
Then while you’re searching the floor board for some more appropriate container in which to secretly relieve yourself you spill the rest of your cup of coffee all over the presentation you were giving at work that morning. The one to which you will be horribly late.
Suddenly you’re stricken with a wave of nausea, and the traffic that had started to creep forward with a ray of hope suddenly returns to a dead halt. You want to cry, but you’re afraid that it will make your make-up run. You glance quickly in the mirror, and you realize that you forgot to apply eyeliner to one entire eye. And you have a blob of used toothpaste on your collar. And a fresh zit on the tip of your nose.
Just when you think it can’t get any worse you’re rewarded by cars moving in the distance. One by one they take off, and the hope of getting to work on time sparks anew within you. You beam proudly, and take your foot off the brake. Your bladder rejoices with dreams of emptying. Then your car sputters violently, and dies. Smoke emanates from the hood, taunting you in your distress.
Now imagine if that happened every day.
You see, a bad day as a nurse is kind of like what I described above. Imagine your worst day ever, and then put it on repeat. That’s often what a week is like for a nurse. Or maybe even the month. And though nurses expect as much, being used to a life of working with illness, this doesn’t magically make bad stuff turn good.
When a nurse has a bad day people die, and if that happened every day we would probably putter out quickly.
When a nurse has a bad day every thing that can go wrong will go wrong, and if this kind of frustration continued without a break in the craziness then the nursing profession might slip in its kind demeanor and its drive for compassionate care.
When a nurse has a bad day it’s a really bad day, and it’s common place to be pooped on, screamed at, and run ragged. And we’re used to that. It doesn’t surprise us, but a reprieve is always welcomed with open arms.
Nurses need good days for their own health and wellness, and if you consider how many bad days there are in the face of death and dying I’m certain you’ll agree. Laughter is good medicine, and everyone needs to sit down eventually. Even if it’s just to chart.
Nurses need good days to help remind them why they weather the bad days with such strength and grace. The thing is a single good day is worth its weight in gold, and it inspires the nurse with the kind of happy thoughts that led them to this great career in the first place.
Nurses need good days just like how everyone else needs good days. Sometimes people just forget that. They forget those amazing servants in scrubs are human too. No one can have a bad day every day; good days are needed as well, but no where more than in the high stress environment that is health care.
Jamie says
My recent good day consisted of a patient telling another nurse about me. A Native American patient told my co-worker that “that other nurse, she’s good people.” In a country more divided than together, and in a state that consists of two of the poorest counties in America, that comment warmed my heart. One patient at a time, I’m working on making a difference and breaking down “those walls.” 🙂
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
That’s wonderful! A kind compliment makes the best kind of good day. Keep up the good work.
ruthiespage says
Love your perspective on a bad day! Describes it to a tee!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
ruthiespage says
Love your perspective on a bad day! Describes it to a tee!
Heather says
Thank you. I read your blog daily and it’s always spot on for me. I especially love the nursing stuff as I’m still a fairly new nurse (2.5 yrs) in a neuro icu unit. And I’m older so am feeling wiped out more than those spunky 20 yr olds!
Thank you. Keep writing! We are reading… Even if we don’t reply!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks so much! I appreciate the comment and encouragement.
Denise O'Neil says
Sadly, there are rarely good days anymore. After soon to be 40 years in the profession of nursing, I am sincerely worried about this profession. I really just try to find any little thing to make me feel good about what I’ve done during a 12 hour shift. More and more, I feel I just can’t do enough to please others. I try to keep telling myself that I do a good job and concentrate on the little things that I do to make my patients feel better during their day.