You know you're tired when...

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I have found myself so exhausted at times after a long stretch of 12 hr shifts or a particularly rough shift. A few funnies from my half-conscious, overworked, desperately need a break mind:

I've been known to tell my kids "shhh, you're in a hospital"....while I'm conked out on the couch and they play on the living room floor.

In response to my child asking me one morning at home to make them breakfast: "I'll have the secretary order you some".

Realizing half way to work that, no, I am not wearing my Danskos, I am wearing my SLIPPERS!!!

Twice (yes, twice) forgetting to turn my car ignition all the way to the "off" position and subsequently having to call a (very patient) family member in the early morning hours for a jump.

Please tell me I'm not alone......:blink:

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I tried to unzip my coat so I could badge into my front door.

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Specializes in Cardiopulmonary Stepdown/Cath Lab, ICU.

Signing "RN" after my name at the store on the rent/bills etc. usually after a few days of work

Waking up in the middle of my sleep because I swore I heard the bed/chair alarms

Those are the main ones that stick out in my mind

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...you try to use the car remote to unlock your front door. :confused:

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Cruising along on my way home wondering why everyone is passing me. Then I realize how slow I'm going! lol Too tired to push that pedal down. I have also waved my badge at the ATM machine.

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Specializes in Oncology.

I once wore two different shoes to work. On more than one occasion I've tried to use my parking ramp card to swiped through a toll booth. I've woken up at 10am when working nights, thought it was 10pm, and called work to apologize for being late while starting to get dressed. I've had dreams that I brought patients home with me that were do realistic I got up to go check on them in my spare bedroom.

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After working a 12 hr shift, driving home and looking at the traffic light BEYOND the one in front of me. The one in front of me is red, the one BEYOND IS GREEN! I had to slam on my brakes once!

Hearing bed alarms in my sleep.

Changing my daughters diaper by rolling her side to side like I do a patient (tuck in brief, roll them over and pull out the other side).

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Made it to work with mismatched shoes. Not even close.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

All of the above. I have answered the phone with...."May I help you?" or "ICU Esme may I help you?"

I have signed paper for my kids school with RN. I have used my badge for the ATM or used my badge to buy gas...LOL

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Stood in front of the fridge trying to figure out why my PYXIS fingerprint wasn't working.

Pulled over to sleep once behind a little country church (too tired to finish driving home). Awakened by a deputy tapping on my window as someone had reported a 'dead body in a car'. He jumped about six feet.

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Haa i definitely have tried to open my front door with my badge...multiple times!!!

And I also answer my personal phone saying "6th floor this is biotobsn how can i help you" without realizing it all the time!?

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Specializes in Medical Oncology, Alzheimer/dementia.

Answered my cell phone, "nurses station, may I help you?"

You know how you can turn off the patient's call light in their room by pusing the button on the wall? I pushed the "button" on my bedroom wall to turn off my alarm clock.

When my daughter dropped a cookie sheet in the kitchen, our security system detected it as broken glass and started alarming. I heard the alarm and grabbed my flashlight from my work bag so I could go "reset the IV pump."

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