Dear Lazy Nurse,
I firmly believe people learn best from self-reflection and coming to conclusions themselves. But just on the off-chance that you’re not actively doing that, please let me share just one or two little thoughts I had this shift.
1. I’ve been in this section for 7 days straight now. You know that really, really annoying patient in #17? I’ve had him (and he IS annoying, I absolutely agree), for 7 days already. You and I both know that it is a totally acknowledged thing that whoever’s coming on most recently steps in and takes some of the more frustrating stuff on so that the other nurse gets a break.
Still, I’d even be happy if you had just said, “Hey, I”m just not feeling it today. When it comes to #17, can we share him or go in together?” 
Tag teaming is a totally legit thing. Waiting until I have done all the observations, medications, and interventions for the 5 patients in the other bay and 3 in that bay, and then walking up to me when I sat down and saying “Heeeeeey! So I know we didn’t get a chance to talk about this, but I don’t wanna split today. We’re both gonna do all the patients, mmmkay?” throwing a beaming smile and walking away is not okay.
Also, your version of “sharing all the patients” mean that you then went and sat in the back and played on your phone, and when I walked to the bay, I got to make the surprising discovery that you hadn’t actually done anything for #17, the only remaining patient. I mean, come on. At least do that first set of obs so that you can legitimise your gigantic sigh and the “UGH, HOW ANNOYING is #17!” which you periodically threw at me in a partnershippy way the rest of the shift. 
2. I’m not hugely annoyed at this, but it feels worth pointing out that, even though, as you said, you had started 2 hours earlier, walking up to me while I’m talking to the doctor and interrupting to say “HEEEeeeEeEy, you know I started two hours ago, right? Do you mind if I go have my first break now?” 
after you had been in the back on your phone for half an hour while I sorted out 9 patients on my own is just laying it on a bit thick. Again, maybe do at least one or two things first. But whatever.
3. Finally, I have to apologise for my lack for clear communication.
When it was 20:30, and I had, once again, drawn up and given all the medications, taken all the obs, escalated our two deteriorating patients, and finished all the paperwork up to then, while you were…actually I don’t know where you were. But I have it from a reliable source that you were in the back, eating brownies…anyway, when I walked up to you and said “Hey! So, everything is done, except #21 and #27 both still need their antibiotics. Are you happy for me to go take my break now before you leave?” And you actually said, “Oh my gosh, you haven’t gone yet?! I feel terrible! Please go, darling!” I foolishly assumed that you would be taking care of this remaining IVs. So it was unfair of me to be annoyed when I came back, half an hour later, and found that you…had done nothing. 
I mean, true, you’re a registered nurse, and a functioning adult, but if I’m not willing to communicate clearly then that’s on me. But just as some gentle feedback, going forward, it’s possibly an assumption that other nurses you work with will make, too, so perhaps consider when you’re the only nurse left on that you should maybe pop your head out now and again to make sure there aren’t one or two little tasks within your scope and abilities. 
I know, I know. It’s hugely overwhelming sometimes. Just remember, the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time: 
Awww, that elephant is eating YOU instead! Whoops, wrong way around! Ha ha ha. Totally don’t wish that on you at all.
I’m not asking that you take care of 12 people, that would be crazy. Just start with that one antibiotic and I promise you, before you know it, you’ll be doing the paracetamol too and maybe even answering the odd call bell and you’ll hardly believe how far you’ve come. You can do this. 
4. Finally, kudos to your sincerity. When you passed me in the corridor on your way out and said, brightly, “Bye, Wurse! Thanks for the great shift!” I have absolutely no doubt you meant it. I mean, yeah. You must have had a good shift.
To be fair, the last two hours of mine were pretty good too. ?specific reason but still. There’s that.
Can’t wait for the next time.
XOXO,
Wurse