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.
Specializes in Palliative, Onc, Med-Surg, Home Hospice.
I tried to unzip my coat so I could badge into my front door.
I have tried to unlock to coded door at the LTC facility I worked at with my key fob. I have also answered the phone "Facility Name, how may I help you". It was my land line.
And after doing a very long stretch (LTC again) with Kangaroo pumps that were chiming every 5 minutes or so, husband and I went to Academy sports. I heard a beeping noise and told the CelticDude to go turn off the kangaroo, I'd hang a new tube feed when it was due. He looked at me like I had lost my mind.
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
I used to sleepwalk after I'd worked a series of 12-hour night shifts. I once tried to start an IV on my husband in my sleep---he woke up to find me palpating his veins and looking around for an Angiocath. Another time I woke him up to "fix" his oxygen mask.
I fell asleep in the bathtub more than once. I answered the phone in my sleep with "Second floor, this is Viva speaking, how may I help you?" There was even a time I drove back home asleep and dreaming at 60 MPH. It wasn't till I felt the right side of my car kissing the guardrail that I jolted awake.....that is how tired I was after those long night shifts. It wasn't long after that incident that I went to days.....scary stuff.
You guys are scaring me! I think everyone needs more sleep as while this is funny, it could also become dangerous and lead to an accident or injury! I've had CNA's tell me they only slept two hours after working the night before. Honestly, if I only slept two hours I would call in as I wouldn't feel safe as a nurse! Some diehards would call me out for calling in over something as trivial as not getting enough sleep, but we really need to be well rested especially with the acuity of patients and meds we give! You don't want to make a mistake due to lack of sleep. They say you might as well be drunk if you skip sleep. I think there is some truth in that!
I have gone to work in slippers more than once, thank goodness at least I haven't gone still in my pajamas! Massive momentary confusion when trying to use my badge for any number of things before that "oh, duh!" realization. Giving my cell phone number as a call back number for an on call doc instead of my work number. Driving home waiting for stop signs to turn green. If I have run any red lights I don't know about it. Thank God I only live a mile from work, driving that tired can be dangerous as some of these posts have proved.
Specializes in EDUCATION;HOMECARE;MATERNAL-CHILD; PSYCH.
I was called to do overtime from 11p to 8a. I kissed my husband goodbye, got in the car and decided to close my eyes for a second before starting the engine.. The next thing remembered was my husband waking me up.
I slept all night in the car!!! I never made it to work. My manager was very understanding - NOT!
I'm awake now because while I was sleeping I heard a bed alarm go off. I jumped up off the couch to catch the patient before they fell. My stumped toe did not appreciated that. Earlier today, my mom called and I answered, "skilled nursing, this is dazglue. How may I help you?"
I sleep walk when I'm extremely tired or stressed. Can't tell you how many times I woke up freaking out searching under and into thing looking for the lost baby. I was a labor and delivery nurse once upon a time and since then I have nightmares about someone taking a baby out of the nursery and I can never find it.
I work in a jail there have been many mornings that I have gotten home after working 12 hr standing at my front door waiting for master control to pop the door for me, waving to a camera not there!
The phone thing is a big one, on the off chance I hear the phone ringing while I'm sleeping during the day, answering so and so jail medical this is Mike can I help you? very confusing to those poor telemarkerters!
I once ran into the other room where my husband was like a bat out of hell while I was sleeping. He asked wide eyed what was wrong and I calmly replied "the ventilator was alarming", walked back into the bedroom and went back to bed. I have no recollection.
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ICURN3020
392 Posts
Oh, these are great! Thanks everyone.....helped me to smile despite a really crappy day.