Ah, the things we say when we're tired

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Specializes in WOC, Hospice, Home Health.

Here's something to make you all laugh--

Yesterday I was dragging. It was Monday, coming back from a week off, hadn't slept well, etc. An hour before the end of the shift. Called a doctor's office about a patient's insulin and possibly switching her over from prefilling Lantus syringes to the pen. Left a voicemail message on the triage nurse line that went something like this...

"Hi, this is ProBeeRN with ____, calling about ____. " Blah, blah blah, explain situation, wanting to switch to pen, promote patient independence, reviewed BS log, etc. Everything going fine. Until I ended it with this:

"So, my number is xxx-xxxx, if you have any questions you can call me back, and if it's ok with the doctor he can call in that script for the solostar to the pharmacy and if it's not ok...well then I guess he doesn't have to do anything then, does he? Everything else is fine with the patient. Ok, thanks, bye.

I then hung up and stared at the phone like it was going to grow tentacles and poke me in the eye. My patient laughed at me.

At least I'm laughing at myself today. :lol2:

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Specializes in Forensics, Trauma, Pediatrics,.

Hah!! I totally laughed out loud while and after reading your story. I have 100% had those days where things just aren't as clear as they should be. It's nice to be able to laugh at it the next day though. :)

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Specializes in Gerontology.

I used to blank out on common words after a night shift.

I was giving report on a pt going for a procedure at another hospital once. I said "Box lunch was ordered. Its in the...." total blank. "You know - the big white thing. Keeps food cold.. " Other nurse looks at me "The Fridge?". Me: "thats right! The Fridge!".

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Pepper, I like to use the term "thingy"

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Specializes in Gerontology.

Pepper, I like to use the term "thingy"

Oh Yes. "thingy" I use that - a lot! The more tired I get, the more I lose words.

It can be quite funny at times. I wave my hands, trying to draw a picture of the word I'm trying to find. Sometimes I wonder how I find my way home after a long shift. Of course, I have found myself trying to open the door to my building with the mail box key ... but that is a whole other story!

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I got no sleep last night so when I was working today I was handing out snacks. I usually grab a cookie with a napkin, pour some juice in a cup, and give it to the residents. Well instead I grabbed the juice, picked up the napkin, and poured the juice on the napkin.:rolleyes: It was a big mess and my coworkers were in tears.

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Specializes in Phase 2, Home Health.

Yup! If I am tired, needing food, or just overwhelmed even the simplest words can completely leave my vocabulary. "Thingy" is one of my big filler words too. Somethimes I just blank and have to stop talking completely for a minute. I have also actually walked out of the room and walked back in and started all over again because I simply could not get a coherent sentence to come out of my mouth the first time. I worry what my workmates think of me sometimes...do they blame the blonde hair? Now that I am entering menopause it it only getting worse. Good thing the brain works even when the mouth doesn't.

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Specializes in ICU, MedSurg, Medical Telemetry.

in report one time, I told the oncoming nurse: "And he's running nasal saline at 100/hr."

"NASAL saline?"

"Yeah."

"Don't you mean NORMAL saline?"

...

...

...

"Oh yeah. I guess I did." Oops. :lol2:

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I was sure the op was going to say she gave the dr her home phone number. um, not that I have ever done that!

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Specializes in all things maternity.

I beeped a CRNA for a epidural once and accidently left my home number for the return call. :o:o:o

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I got no sleep last night so when I was working today I was handing out snacks. I usually grab a cookie with a napkin, pour some juice in a cup, and give it to the residents. Well instead I grabbed the juice, picked up the napkin, and poured the juice on the napkin.:rolleyes: It was a big mess and my coworkers were in tears.[/quotever poured water into a med cup...with the med?
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Specializes in nursery, L and D.

You guys made me LOL, seriously!! I needed that after this day, so thanks!!

I, of course, have never done anything stupid while I was tired/hungry/bladder full to bursting........right......:)

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