is it just me?

LOL! just today I had a pt go into rapid a fib 5 minutes before the start of report, he also vomitted everywhere right before that, AND his IV infiltrated! funny you posted about this

YES! Just this morning (4th 12 hr. shift in a row-finally time to go) I went to my last pt. for 0600 meds. Her feeding pump had a technical failure, so I get a new pump. The new pump gets reprogrammed and I go to prime it and it was also broken! I was so irritated. Then she wants to start telling me her life story about things breaking-I'm trying to leave the room to get a new pump-she tells me to slow down and take my time because she isn't going anywhere. On my way to get another pump my confused pt. broke out of one of his restraints and was hanging half way out of the bed. I slide him back in bed and realize he was laying in watery diarrhea. Blah, blah, blah. I still had I's and O's to do and we have to be off the clock by 0715 or we don't paid past that without filling a form, explaining why we are late, and the manager approving it. Never fails! LOL (now it's funny, but I was ill this morning!)

"Leaving on time"??? I don't know what those words mean. I've reached the point where I figure I'll leave late and if something does NOT happen in that last hour then THAT is when I'm surprised.

I think patients can sense the energy levels...I know it sounds weird but I don't think that lack of attention is the only reason there's so many codes on holidays, at COS, etc

Worked in the Ward from Hell one night - dementia unit. Changed a patient's gown & his linen like 3 times in 30 minutes. He had weeping, bloody sores he kept picking & ripping the dressings off - and reaching into his nappy pads to smear pooh everywhere. Actually I think he was bored, had no visitors, just an old man that had been forgotten by the world. Oh, that was a loooong shift. I so wished I could have restrained his hands, but we aren't allowed to. You just do what you can do, smile at the patients & their families - then go into the toilet and fume there instead.

"Leaving on time"??? I don't know what those words mean. I've reached the point where I figure I'll leave late and if something does NOT happen in that last hour then THAT is when I'm surprised.

Hilarious!

Sometimes it just FEELS like its done on purpose. I expect my day to be a complete disaster from beginning to end and when it isn't I'm pleasantly surprised. Yes I still get frustrated but when you set your expectations for a peaceful shift very low you're not dissapointed when thats exactly what you dont get.

I seem to get the labor patient who pokes along and then gets to complete and pushing at 0630. You just know she's not going to deliver by 0700 and there is no way you can be coaching and supporting her all night and leave at that point!

Yep. You can pretty much count on chaos ruling once your butt hits the chair to gather your thoughts for report.

Kinda like when you wake up late, scurry around to beat it out the door on time and your bowels announce, "HI!!!! It's time to take me to the pool! Yes, right NOW!"

Shift change should be at 0200 and 1400!

OH, you all are too funny! I DID think maybe I should start just not expecting to ever get out on time as to not be disappointed. I also know all too well about the bowels needing to get to the pool when you don't have time to take them! I have to stop pretending I have an office job.

Yes don't allow yourself to even think you're going to be out on time, jinxes me every time! :)