Stupid things not to do

[sphinx, BSN, RN]

I work in home care.....about 2 years now. 1st stupid thing. Giving your cell number to a patient. I only use my phone for work, but we always give the team secretary number, and she pages us. But I was having trouble getting a hold of this girl, and for various reasons, I gave her my cell number instead. I don't know what possessed me. It's bad enough that when I call patient's from my home, if they have call ID, they have my number (I now block our ID). Anyway, she never did call my number, I got ahold of her myself, and when I was there told her to always call the other number since I don't answer my phone when I'm in a patient's home, but if she pages me I'll know and can call her back sooner. Well, I am not working this weekend (usually don't, unless on call), and for whatever reason had forgotten to turn off my phone yesterday evening but didn't reasize it until today I heard it ringing. Like a fool, I pick it up, and the ID is blocked. I think "I shouldn't answer this, anyone I know would just call my home number". So, stupid thing number 2, I picked up the phone and answered it. There this girl is "Hi this is so-and-so, one of your pateints I need such and such and bla bla bla....". I said I do not work weekends, can you please call the main office, they will connect you to the weekend nursing staff.

I just can't believe I did such a boneheaded thing!!!! Duh!

3rd stupid thing.....no matter how overworked you are during the week, never, ever leave your paperwork for later. You *know* you won't want to do it over the weekend! You'll procrastinate all day!!! :)

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

[researchrabbit]

I used to have my number listed in the phone book, until one of my schizophrenic patients started calling me (thank goodness I did not have my address listed)!

Luckily she was someone who would never hurt a fly, a lovely lady whose hallucinations centered around angels talking to her...but I was careful after that to have my number unlisted.

[bravegirlamy]

I have done the same thing sphinx, & it backfired on me also. The patient thought she could call me anytime even on the weekends (which I don't work). She got very angry & held a grudge from then on. Now, I NEVER EVER call from home, or give out my pager or cell phone numbers to patients. Hard lesson, but one well learned.

[sphinx, BSN, RN]

Yup, well I'll see just how angry this gal might be now, when I see her early this week. I feelt like such a dolt. I don't know what possessed me! *sigh*, oh well, live and learn.

Slowly cutting myself off from the world....haha!!!