There's no such thing as a routine day in a hospital. Nurses have a wide range of responsibilities and tasks that they're continuously prioritizing.
In Outpatient Services, where Whitt works, her days are dictated by the kind of patients that come through the facility and the procedures they're there for.
"Most of the patients we see are with us for a few hours. They're getting IV infusions, blood transfusions, minor procedures, and surgeries. It varies a lot each day," she told Business Insider.
Over in the ICU, patients are battling with life-threatening issues, and each day brings a new set of challenges.
"I wouldn't say there's a typical day as we see all kinds of patients," Watkins said. "They're with us for different reasons each time, and the vulnerable state they're in means they can deteriorate quickly, which keeps us on our toes.
But while the patients and situations may change, the ICU has a daily care routine that must be adhered to at all times. "We monitor each patient closely and observe a strict care schedule across the ward," Watkins said.
Each day begins with a full handover from the night team followed by a meet-and-greet with any new patients. At 8 a.m., Watkins carries out full-body assessments on her patients and makes a note on their medical chart of everything she sees. Throughout the day patients are assessed from top to toe every four hours, and rounds are completed hourly.
As a critical care nurse, Watkins also responds to any codes that occur around the hospital. "Code calls definitely add an extra bit of excitement and adrenaline to the day," she said.