How often does a nurse get interutted during a shift

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in LTC; Home Healthcare;Hospice;Med/S.

The other day i was written up because i left the keys in the lock on the nurses cart because i had to stop doing what i was doing to help someone, it then struck up a thought: How often does a nurse get interruted during a shift. I started counting the seconds, on average that i got interruted and it came up to every 37 seconds/min. Can anyone else relate or is it just me.

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

Yes I can relate, and the frequency is not safe..l

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Specializes in LTC; Home Healthcare;Hospice;Med/S.

Thank you for your comment, i hope this post where everyone can see it because i'm looking for solutions to do a better job, you know on how not to let these interrutions cause me to make more mistakes

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

*interruptions

*interrupted

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

Sometimes the interruptions get interrupted. Happens a lot. Everyone is trying to do their job and the aids are wanting to let you know about something. The family members may have questions. Someone fell. You name it, it all happens to us so much that when we aren't interrupted we may think that something isn't right about the shift.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
i had to stop doing what i was doing to help someone.

I KNOW! Patients and Coworkers think I get paid to help!

What's that all about?

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That's why they pay us the big bucks. We know how to juggle. In this case, you needed to put the keys in your pocket, then respond.

It comes easier with time, but you won't do THAT again.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

I remember a while back there was a flurry of discussion about "nurses interrupted during med pass make more errors", studies (lots of them!) show.

It disturbs me that in today's society, if you are trying to land an airplane or keep things from crashing into other things, there is a strict policy against interruptions and distractions, but nurses are expected to just deal. :mad:

I would qualify that for an emergency situation, with description of what exactly is an emergency.

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Specializes in LTC; Home Healthcare;Hospice;Med/S.

Thank you for relating and understanding, you are right constantly getting interrupted can lead to more med errors.

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That's why they pay us the big bucks.

LOL. Was that sarcasm?

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