Sep 143 min read

The No-Call No Show Blues: How to Keep Your Cool

I hear you, fellow DONs—today was one of those days.

I had to jump in and work because, you guessed it, we were down a nurse.

Then, like a cherry on top of this chaotic sundae, we had a no-call no-show.

Seriously, is there anything more frustrating than that?

Like, damn, you could've at least called in and said, "Hey, not coming in today!"

So, there I was, sitting there, five minutes turned to ten, then fifteen, and before you know it, 30 minutes later… still nothing.

Now, I’m all about giving people the benefit of the doubt because, let's be real, stuff happens.

But damn. It threw a wrench in the plans, and all I could do was focus on what I could do right now.

And yes, that meant being hella late with the morning meds 😂.

By the time we were finally done, it was already time for lunch blood sugars.

I had to laugh at myself—I used to be an LPN who had it down pat, but now when I have to hop on the cart?

Oh hell no, I am not about that life anymore! Kudos to all my LPNs out there holding it down for us DONs. 🙌

So, what can we do when this kind of mess happens?

Because, let’s face it, in the world of nursing, shift gaps are basically part of the job description.

Here are a few tips to keep your sanity when you’re suddenly challenged with staff:

Keep a list of PRN staff or part-timers who are willing to pick up shifts in a pinch. It’s like having an emergency contact list, but for your sanity. And hey, if you need help with this, having a good relationship with a staffing agency (like the one I own 😉) can be a lifesaver. Not saying you have to use my services, but you know, it's an option! In my case, I didn't have anyone else LOL. Everyone else had plans

Sometimes you gotta throw in a little extra cash to get people to come in last minute. Whether it’s a bonus, a gift card, or just some good old-fashioned praise, making people feel appreciated goes a long way.

Encourage cross-training among your staff so that when someone is out, there’s someone else who can step in. It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s a solid backup plan.

Trust me, finding humor in the chaos is a must. Sometimes, all you can do is laugh at how late you are with meds or how your perfectly planned day just went up in flames. It's okay to roll with the punches and keep pushing forward.

When all else fails, having a solid network of nursing buddies (including other DONs) can be a lifesaver. Swap tips, share a venting session, or even call in a favor when you need someone to cover. Also, create a pool with your sister facilities.

And remember, tomorrow might be more of the same, but at least you’ll be

ready for it!

Welcome to the world of nursing, where things go sideways, and you still find a way to get it done.

Keep doing your best, and keep it pushing, because that’s what we do! 💪

So, what’s your go-to move when you’re short-staffed?

Any tricks up your sleeve that help you survive these crazy days?

Drop them in the comments below!

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