Monitor and IV pump Alarms, I hear them im my sleep

allnurses Guide · Feb 9, 2008

Definatley not crazy, I used to hear the alarms in my sleep and have been known to wake up every hour to do pump checks much to the frustration of my hubbie.

I have also been known to get quite anxious in the supermarket when the fire alarm went off as it sounded exactly like our crash bleep

:uhoh3: :bugeyes:

Kerrigan 06 · Feb 11, 2008

A few nights ago I had an IV pump that kept on going off for various reasons - I guess I had several drips, or tiny air bubbles, I don't remember. After I'd gone in a couple of times to fix the beeping, the patient's family member commented, "I bet you hear that in your sleep."

"You know.... you're right! And all of the other alarms in the unit, too!"

It's not just you!!

Spatialized · Feb 11, 2008

Yep, I hear the "oh ****" binging in my sleep especially on those nights where everyone is bradying down, upping the rate. It could be worse, I used to dream the sounds of the call lights at the nursing home. Not pleasant.

Cheers,

Tom

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Feb 11, 2008

I would hear them, and wake up fully, and sigh with relief that I could go back to sleep. Actually didn't mind it much since I got so happy about not being on duty every time it happened.

Morettia2, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2008

thanx everyone! at least i know i am not crazy!!!! :bow:

nrsang97, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2008

I have been an nurse for nearly 7 years and still do this.

RNcDreams · Feb 19, 2008

Sometimes, I will be in this weird half awake, half asleep state.. and I'll KNOW I'm at home in my bed, but the rest of my brain is convinced I'm at work, with tons of things to do, that I can't finish.... and the alarms in my head are very, very vivid......

UGH! We need vacations.

Silver_Girl · Mar 9, 2008

YES this happens to me too. Makes it hard to leave work at work like so many people recommend. Walking out of the hospital I still hear the beeps of SpO2 monitors not picking up, the panic alarm, the IV pumps going off like this freakish symphony lol. I've woken up many times thinking "OMG I GOT TO TAKE MY BLOOD DOWN" or had dreams where I was super busy and then look at my flowsheet and realize I hadn't taken vitals in like...6 hours. I think for me it's just the anxiety that comes with being new and having to go to work the next day and not knowing if it's going to suck majorly or not until getting there. But no, you're absolutely not crazy

Chaya, ASN, RN · Mar 9, 2008

I hear them too. I could swear the sound of the IV alarm is burned into the neuro fibers of my inner ear...

And there was one local store that had some kind of bell you could hear bonging over the intercom that sounded exactly like our Code alarm. I would jump and my heart would start racing every time I heard this!

And as for the being crazy part-I kinda think it goes with the territory. If you aren't crazy to start with to go into nursing in the first place-the job will drive you crazy before very long!

hnp5 · Mar 10, 2008

Ok, I thought it appropriate to post in this particular thread. For quite a while now, I've come home after a long shift, then jump right into a hot shower. While I'm standing there, with my eyes wide open, I hear an alarm of some sort. I think: huh, I wonder what's going on?...wait a minute. I'm standing in my shower! Even after I realize this, I STILL hear them! I know auditory hallucinations are never a good thing, so naturally, I thought maybe I was going crazy. Point to this long story...yay! I'm not crazy! Thank you to everyone who posted they're 'crazy' storys! (makes me feel a wee bit better!)

texanbybirth · Mar 10, 2008

I use to wake my husband up in the middle of the night and tell him that I coundn't find the problem with the pump. After the one millionth time he just tells me now that the patients are fine and I go right back to sleep. :coollook: