worked my first 12 h shift. Thought I'd die!

Nursing Students General Students

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

Worked the 7p to 7a shift as a PCT for the first time last night. Had 4 total care patients and did 5 complete occupied bed changes. By the end of my shift, I got gouged with the fingernails of one of our confused patients who decided she was upset and grabbed and gouged my arm as I was changing her diaper. I was required by my charge to fire off an incident report. I was also quite successful at knocking down a huge vase of flowers off a tray table onto a patient's legs in her bed, water and all and one of my patients managed to fall out of bed despite all 4 side rails up and a bed alarm. On the upside, I was successful at my second attempt at a blood draw. There were the usual duties and others that I didn't know were part of the job but I thought were more akin to the housekeeping department's duties. I guess at night, you ARE the housekeeping department.

The work was really physical and by the time I got home, my body was so stiff and sore, I literally hobbled into the shower and into bed. Thank God I'm only doing this once a week because it takes me a whole day to recover. Being a PCT (tech) is really hard work.

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

Worked the 7p to 7a shift as a PCT for the first time last night. Had 4 total care patients and did 5 complete occupied bed changes. By the end of my shift, I got gouged with the fingernails of one of our confused patients who decided she was upset and grabbed and gouged my arm as I was changing her diaper. I was required by my charge to fire off an incident report. I was also quite successful at knocking down a huge vase of flowers off a tray table onto a patient's legs in her bed, water and all and one of my patients managed to fall out of bed despite all 4 side rails up and a bed alarm. On the upside, I was successful at my second attempt at a blood draw. There were the usual duties and others that I didn't know were part of the job but I thought were more akin to the housekeeping department's duties. I guess at night, you ARE the housekeeping department.

The work was really physical and by the time I got home, my body was so stiff and sore, I literally hobbled into the shower and into bed. Thank God I'm only doing this once a week because it takes me a whole day to recover. Being a PCT (tech) is really hard work.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

I work 12 hour shifts and love them. I only do day shifts though. I remember when i first started working 12's my feet hurt so bad by the time i was home,, i had to put my shoes back on before i could walk into the other room. You do get used to it,, and so do your feet, legs, back etc. I dont think id give up my 12's for anything now. Sounds like you had a typical night, others will be better, others will be worse. You'll get used to it.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

I work 12 hour shifts and love them. I only do day shifts though. I remember when i first started working 12's my feet hurt so bad by the time i was home,, i had to put my shoes back on before i could walk into the other room. You do get used to it,, and so do your feet, legs, back etc. I dont think id give up my 12's for anything now. Sounds like you had a typical night, others will be better, others will be worse. You'll get used to it.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry.

I had similiar experiences during my first few clinicals, and now I laugh at how stressed out I was!

Hopefully, you'll be able to keep your sense of humor! :rotfl: :chuckle :rotfl:

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry.

I had similiar experiences during my first few clinicals, and now I laugh at how stressed out I was!

Hopefully, you'll be able to keep your sense of humor! :rotfl: :chuckle :rotfl:

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