Worried that I'm to much of an airhead.....

ABQLNDRN · Jul 11, 2006

It sounds like a bad case of stress to me. And no, you're not the only one, because there's at least two of us! I have forgotten some unbelievable things. I went home to Ohio to visit family and friends, and called one friend's dad by the other dad's name--to his face! My friend (who is now an orthopedic surgeon) thinks I am an idiot. Seriously, though, nursing school is stressful (I didn't check your profile, but I am guessing you're in nursing school?) and will do that to your brain. I also remember phone numbers from decades ago and strings of various numbers, but don't ask me to remember a birthday! I remember mine. my husband's and my kids', but all others are bonuses if I can remember them. Hang in there. It gets better!

buddiage · Jul 11, 2006

I totally relate to you (my brother tells me it's a good thing I never smoked pot). However, I always seem to do well in an absolute crisis. I'm totally okay with it. Long term is great...short term, not so good, but things that matter will probably stick better for you.

It could be your life too... lots of stuff going on, I'm not sure but I think even depression could affect it.

If you can muster a game face, you'd probably do fine.

OK, let me start out by saying.... I'm not "really" and airhead... I just have a very bad short-term memory. I'm worried about how that will play into me becomming a nurse.
For instance.... my husband called today because he forgot his laptop (which is totally unlike him) and he wanted me to bring it to him at work (downtown 30+min drive).... I agreed. I got ready, packed up the kids.... got in the car... started to drive out of the garage.... and realized I had forgotten the dumb computer too.
This is just one example of hundreds.... I don't know if I get too distracted, or if I have so much going on in my head I can't keep things straight... or if it's the fact that 3 kids sucked the all the brain cells out through my uterus....
I have a GREAT long term memory. Unfortunetly it is good for mostly useless things that don't matter .... ie: what my little one wore for her 2nd birthday party, all the phone numbers and addresses from the 20 different places I've lived in, old calling card numbers or pin numbers...
I just can't remember stuff from 30 seconds ago. Ugg
Anyway, I'm wondering if this is something that other people struggle with... and if so... how do you train yourself to work through it? I was a waitress (lasted a month) and someone would ask me for a refill.... yeah, you guessed it...they never got it...
I'm worried a patient might ask me for something and it will slip my mind... or worse.... it could be something crucial and I'll foul it up...
Thanks for your advice in advance... I hope I'm not the only one if I am just whop me one!!! :lol_hitti

RNKITTY04 · Jul 11, 2006

Sticky notes. Lots and lots of sticky notes. They are all over my computer by the end of my shift but so far I have not forgotten anything critical.

Yes.. I too am a airhead but thats usually because I have 2 million things running thru my head. (major type A personality) You will be ok besides being a Mom automatically qualifies you to be multi-task oriented.

smilin_gp · Jul 11, 2006

I have started to keep a little checklist that I carry through the shift. When I hear a new order or think of something that needs to be done, I add it to the list. I am working on ways to prioritize the list, but it is at least helping me from forgetting things entirely.

luvmy3kids · Jul 11, 2006

Ahhhh.... thank you all! I feel much better knowing I'm not the only one.... sticky notes sound like a great idea! If I just write down what I need to do.... I will remember better... (although... the soda refills didn't quite work out for me and I wrote those down...) :coollook:

I'm actually starting my first pre-req next month!!! I'm so excited. I did pretty good in school ( I have a BS but it's been 10 yrs)... and studying and memorizing I can handle... it's just the bring me, help me, show me, get me, stuff that I forget all the time... and that has me worried...

I can't count the number of times I have looked in the back seat to make sure all 3 kids are there.... I always worry I'll set one on top of the car while I put the groceries in and forget about 'em....:smackingf

geekgolightly, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2006

I have started to keep a little checklist that I carry through the shift. When I hear a new order or think of something that needs to be done, I add it to the list. I am working on ways to prioritize the list, but it is at least helping me from forgetting things entirely.

i do that too. its in the middle of my brain right above vitals and labs. i write down the new stuff in red so im sure not to forget or glance over and not see it. to the right is the phys assessment from neuro to integ and to the left is current condition and history and very bottom is my I/O grid, accu chec grid and allergies

any procedures or "chores" that need to be done get a box beside them and i check it off when done. i even have a system for making sure ive charted in the computer for everyone. i circle the room number when ive completed first assessment.

i encourage any forgetful people to get a system that works for them. mine has come over time and im always improving upon it.

snowfreeze, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2006

Stress does that to all of us, too much input. I call my written notes my short term memory. I just started being in charge this evening and really needed all of my notes as I was being bombarded with multiple things I could never have remembered. As far as your forgetting the computer and remembering while you were pulling out of the garage, I would have remembered as I pulled up to the office.

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Jul 11, 2006

Hahahaha, yes!!! I have four kids 5 years and under and let me tell you I have horrible short term memory sometimes. [bANANA]Like you said, it was sucked through my uterus (I'll have to remember that line lol)[/bANANA]

Jo Dirt · Jul 11, 2006

I'm an airhead, too. In fact, I will be in midsentence talking to a patient or nurse and totally lose my train of thought and I'm standing there with a blank look on my face and I have to apologize.

I blame it on brain overload. It's not natural for most people to be as overwhelmed as we are today. I've got three children. I always go through all three names when calling them even though I'm talking to only one. My husband is very demanding (it's like Archie and Edith at my house) Add that to working full-time as an LPN and going to RN school for a couple of years and what else could a person be but an airhead??? Our brains have turned to mush!

rhapsodyRN · Jul 11, 2006

I'm an airhead, too. In fact, I will be in midsentence talking to a patient or nurse and totally lose my train of thought and I'm standing there with a blank look on my face and I have to apologize.

OMG..I can't tell you how many times I've done this. And not just in clinicals at the hospital. I do it anywhere! I'll be telling a story and then all of a sudden I'm trying to figure out why I was telling it and where I'm going with it. Or I just forget completely what I'm talking about. It's like my brain reboots in mid-sentence. Luckily most people I know have had the same thing happen and laugh it off, but it can be embarrassing sometimes. :uhoh3:

V. Nightingale · Jul 11, 2006

I think a lot of us feel the same way. When I was floor nursing (I'm in the ER now) I carried a clipboard and wrote down everything, much like geekgolightly. The first thing I did each day was make a list of what each pt. needed -- lab result to be pulled, dressing or IV site changes, discharges, permits, the works. It really helped me to stay organized. And eventually my mind got into the habit of holding onto that stuff so that I didn't need the list so much. I'm in the ER now and am pretty good at keeping up with what needs to be done. And honestly, if a patient asks you for something and it slips your mind, tell them that and apologize "Oh, Mrs. Smith, I am so sorry I forgot your glass of water. I got called away and it slipped my mind! Let me get it for you now." Something as simple as that can go a long way toward making things right.