Last week, everyone was still happy for the overtime and could see the $$$ in the missed meal breaks. Everyone was chipping in, picking up extra and actually in buoyant spirits (if that can ever be said about ICU nurses).
For my first few shifts this week, though, the nurses were just not feeling like doing as much OT. I can’t blame them. Our patients are incredibly sick. Our job is incredibly hard both physically and emotionally. There just isn’t as much support available as there should be even if people volunteer to work OT because nurses on overtime just aren’t working their best.
Also, it makes me sad to say, but the patients aren’t getting the best then either. As nurses we want to be THE BEST we can be for our patients, especially in the ICU, but when you’re working hours 12 through 16.5, you can’t always give your best. It’s sorta like the Rolling Stones’ song, loosely “translated” to this scenario: you can’t always give what you want, but you give at least what patients need.
On a happier note, though, I ended my week with a fully staffed night shift that gave report to a fully staffed day shift! First time in 3 weeks.