So far, 3 out of 5 shifts this workweek have been pretty good.

I’ll take it. 😂

Two of those were my regular 12-hour shifts, and now I’m heading into three overnights to help cover a vacation.

Because apparently I decided I needed to keep learning new things. 😂

We also have a new resident on the unit.

She is alert, oriented, and—probably most importantly for her—she loves to socialize.

And that might be one of the hardest parts of her transition.

The unit she’s on isn’t exactly overflowing with residents who are looking to sit around and socialize.

Most residents here have significant cognitive impairment, so having someone who is alert, oriented, and looking for conversation is a very different dynamic.

From what I understand, she’s had several major transitions in a relatively short period of time—home, hospital, rehab, assisted living, and now a memory-care setting.

That’s a lot of change.

And I can’t help but think she might flourish on another unit where there are more residents at a similar level of cognition and independence.

Unfortunately, there aren’t any openings right now.

So for the time being, this is home.

And she’s been incredibly pleasant.

I just hope I’ve made a little bit of an impression because, being a weekend nurse, I’m probably going to become one of the familiar faces she sees regularly.

And sometimes that’s what we do in nursing.

We can’t always change the circumstances.

But we can try to make the circumstances a little easier.

Now…

Tonight is a whole new adventure.

It’s my first overnight alone.

Okay, technically I’m not completely alone in the building, but you know what I mean. 😂

I’m the overnight nurse.

And so far?

I’m managing.

It’s still early, so I’m not about to start celebrating yet. 👀

But I’m finding that the overnight responsibilities are actually pretty similar to what I already do during the day.

There are just a few extra things thrown into the mix.

QA for the glucometers.

Letting the lab know how many labs we have.

Filing paperwork from the day.

And a few other little overnight-specific tasks.

Thankfully, the regular overnight nurse has a little cheat sheet.

And let me tell you…

That thing is GOLD. 😂🙌🏽

Having something to reference while I’m learning the overnight routine makes a huge difference.

It’s basically the same nursing job I’ve been doing.

Just with fewer people awake.

Three units.

A different rhythm.

And a few extra responsibilities.

So here I am.

Three shifts down.

Three overnights to go.

And apparently I’m adding overnight nurse to the list of things I can now say I’ve done.

Still learning.

Still figuring it out.

Still taking it one shift at a time.

But so far?

I’m managing.

And that’s enough for tonight.

Scrubs and Side Eyes
— Just trying to keep it together one shift at a time.