you found youself charting something about a patient that made ABSOLUTELY no sense whatsoever??
As in... it's 2:30 in the morning, you are sitting there trying to chart... and you find yourself kinda... drifting off... AS your hand continues to write or type?
As much as it PAINS me to admit that I was actually this sleepy... last night I was sitting there charting on the computer about a patient... I was typing a patient note... and I kinda felt myself drifting off to parts unknown, yet I continued to type... then I managed to kinda jerk myself awake, looked at the screen, and found that I had typed something about this patient that looked kinda like this:
"Patient able to open eyes, is somewhat alert, follows commands, and is somehow able to create his own video game"
I'm glad I actually did wake myself up before hitting "save". =)
There's a whole thread on crazy (and dangerous) things we've done after working a night shift. BE CAREFUL!!
I have made a decision not to work night shifts anymore--@ my age, it just takes too long to recover from it. I can manage 1/2, like 7p to 1a, or come in very early, but no more 12 hr nights. No amount of $$ is worth it.
This was enlightening and amusing to me...I'm a dayshifter and I don't know how you Night people do it! I'm grateful you do though cause I could never!
Doesn't sound like much of a "nap position" to me. My hat is off to you if you can handle 30+ hours awake. Just be careful when you drive. Exhausted driving is, more and more, being viewed with the as similar to driving under the influence, the idea being that if you know you are that tired and you still get behind the wheel, you should be held accountable. I know, I know, how are you supposed to get home.
I'm a veteran noc shifter. Even so, a couple of times, I have had to pull over and take a 20 minute catnap. Inconvenient, yes, but a lot less hassle than an accident or a ticket.
Do take care, fellow nocturnal ones.
One of our "former" night shifters switched to days when she found herself drifting in the wrong lane of traffic on the way home (this happened several times) THankfully she never got into an accident...Another nurse told me she would fall asleep in the parking lot or her driveway after driving in a 'fog' home. Its very scarey - the few times I've driven very tired I had such a hard time keeping myself awake....
Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
I really believe that night nurses or swing shift nurses should have a space in which to take a 20 minute nap during thier shift, or right after. I know I feel like a whole new person after a fast cat nap.
This happened to me not long ago; I thought I was wide awake, until I read my notes. Don't remember what exactly I'd written, but it was sheer nonsense. I was so embarrassed, and a little spooked too.
One of our "former" night shifters switched to days when she found herself drifting in the wrong lane of traffic on the way home (this happened several times) THankfully she never got into an accident...Another nurse told me she would fall asleep in the parking lot or her driveway after driving in a 'fog' home. Its very scarey - the few times I've driven very tired I had such a hard time keeping myself awake....
DH also works nights on a very physical job. He has come home a couple of times and fallen asleep in the garage. Thank goodness, it's never happened with the door closed and the engine still running.
One time, he woke up after more than a half hour with the car door open and one leg out on the concrete. He just hadn't found that last little bit of oomph to stand up and come in. He said he was really sore after falling asleep like that.
Ya know...My favorite is when I'm so tired...I talk to a patient for about 5 mins...THEN realize I've been calling them by the wrong name the entire time... I'm pretty good when it comes down to the writing though....
Charting was the worst time for me. I was alert and fine until the moment I sat down to chart and it was like I was being gassed. I was fine as long as I kept moving. Now on day shift it still happens that way sometimes.
you found youself charting something about a patient that made ABSOLUTELY no sense whatsoever??
As in... it's 2:30 in the morning, you are sitting there trying to chart... and you find yourself kinda... drifting off... AS your hand continues to write or type?
As much as it PAINS me to admit that I was actually this sleepy... last night I was sitting there charting on the computer about a patient... I was typing a patient note... and I kinda felt myself drifting off to parts unknown, yet I continued to type... then I managed to kinda jerk myself awake, looked at the screen, and found that I had typed something about this patient that looked kinda like this:
"Patient able to open eyes, is somewhat alert, follows commands, and is somehow able to create his own video game"
I'm glad I actually did wake myself up before hitting "save". =)
It really bothers me to read things like this. The night shift is so unnatural it is cruel to expect people to stay awake all night with no sleep. I know it comes naturally to some people but not that many. Several years ago a night shift worker was killed when he fell asleep at the wheel while driving home one morning.
I'll get into another profession before I work night shift.
How about taking orders from a doc you just woke up in the middle of the night? I had a pt that ran 3 eps of asymptomatic vtach
Give 2g Mag IV, give Vit K, give 40cc NS, and 40 mg (yes he said mg) of K and repeat this 3x. I was like HUH? I'm thinking "ok I've not been a nurse too long..but what does Vit K have to do with her condition?
so I was like "sir I'm not sure I understand your orders. Are you saying you want her to have 6g of Mag? and 3 shots of Vit K??" he said "well what is her INR?" I'm still thinking what does this have to do with anything but I said well her INR is elevated a bit, we are holding her coumadin. Then he said "wait I better wake up before I give orders..ok let me start over again" and gave a more appropriate order for IV Mag and PO potassium. Whew...scary! That is why you ALWAYS read back orders! lol
Specializes in Med Surg, Mental Health & Addictions.
I work night shift also. 7P-7A Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. It seems like around 4 am is when I get really tired. I don't drink coffee and thank goodness I have never found myself dozing off. I usually get up and walk if I feel myself getting tired. On my floor they do allow you to take your 30 minute lunch and 2 ten minute breaks together and sleep if you need to of course this is if staffing permits. I have never taken advantage of this as I just don't think I could sleep at work. I know the feeling of driving home not really remembering the drive as I am so tired. I just look forward to my 4 days off to catch up on my sleep!
OOOPSSS!!!
prmenrs, RN
4,565 Posts
I have drooled on a paper chart more than once.
There's a whole thread on crazy (and dangerous) things we've done after working a night shift. BE CAREFUL!!
I have made a decision not to work night shifts anymore--@ my age, it just takes too long to recover from it. I can manage 1/2, like 7p to 1a, or come in very early, but no more 12 hr nights. No amount of $$ is worth it.
https://allnurses.com/forums/f124/daft-things-you-ve-done-after-night-shift-217805.html