Good Nurse, Bad Day — How to Not Let One Shift Define You | Ep2

Update: 2025-06-09

Description

Had a shocker of a shift? You’re not alone, and you’re definitely not a bad nurse because of it. In this episode of The Vet Nurse Hacker, we’re getting real about those days when nothing goes right — the vein you just can’t hit, the case that haunts you, the moment you break down in the treatment room. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s something every vet nurse has felt (even the ones who look like they’ve got it all together). We’ll chat about:

Why one bad day doesn’t define your skills or your worth
How to break the cycle of self-blame and imposter syndrome
What to say to yourself instead when your confidence takes a hit
Practical tools to bounce back, reset, and keep showing up

If you’ve ever walked out of a shift questioning everything — this one’s for you. 💛 Come as you are. Stay for the hugs, hacks, and heart. Takeaways

Bad days happen to everyone in veterinary medicine, it's about how we bounce back.
It's normal to take work home emotionally, but we can create boundaries.
Caring does not mean you should blame yourself.
Create a win file to remind yourself of successes.
Establish a post-shift reset ritual to decompress.
The 24-hour rule helps prevent impulsive decisions.
You are a good nurse, even on bad days.
Showing up after a tough shift is a sign of strength.
Bad days do not rewrite your entire story.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Embracing Bad Days in Vet Nursing
03:22 Understanding the Chaos of Veterinary Medicine
06:11 Shifting the Narrative: Self-Compassion in Nursing
09:47 Post-Shift Reset Rituals for Emotional Well-being
12:36 The 24-Hour Rule: Making Thoughtful Decisions
15:32 Conclusion: You Are a Good Nurse, Even on Bad Days
16:32 Embracing the Vet Nurse Journey

Uncage Me: Radical Reset for the Human Behind the Healer UncageMe is an 8 week reset designed for veterinary professionals looking to reset from the fatigue of veterinary medicine. Learn more at www.vetxir.com