This is a reflection I wrote after a very challenging shift. I usually keep my chill at work pretty well. I’m known for my patience and calming effect on patients with psych or anxiety issues. So what you are about to read are my own thoughts after a shift where I didn’t handle myself so well. I hope this message helps some of you reading this feel less alone in your own frustrations and a little closer to being able to control them when it matters most.

I got a question from a listener about this and wanted to share it here for the students and newbies who may be having the same problem.

Q:  How do you hear breath sounds with the noise of the room? I have a hard time hearing anything at all and I'm afraid I'm going to miss something.

Year round, I get so hot when I'm at work, I can't stand it. I'm always on the move, turning patients, running for bed alarms, lifting, bending....and sweating! Others have told me they have a similar problem and are tired of looking gross and smelling bad after only an hour on shift.

So I have a few tips for all of you sweaty nurses.

You know the shifts I mean. The second you step onto your unit, you can tell that this -ish is bananas.

If the internet has taught me anything, it's that people like being voyeurs (in this case, I mean that very innocently). So I'm gonna show you what's in my nursing bag that I carry to and from work.