Oh my goodness, I had the worst shift last night.
I worked an eight hour shift and I don’t do that very often. I knew it was gonna be bad when I came on and was following a brand new nurse that doesn’t have her act together yet. She tries but when I came on, she had half her shift tasks not done yet and “had to go pick up her kids and go to a doctor’s appointment”. Besides, I don’t doubt she did the best she could...and it was my time to take over which generally includes picking up the slack.
So that’s what I did and about halfway through the shift I hadn’t even started my own tasks...I found out another brand new nurse was going to be following me that “wouldn’t be able to pick up my slack if I left anything undone.”
I did not stop running the entire shift. I kicked it into overdrive and managed to finish EVERYTHING but didn’t get home till almost 1am (I normally get off at 11pm).
I’d forgotten to take my bp meds with me (I normally take them at 9am and 9pm) and by the time I got home, it was 140/104. I was literally exhausted.
I’m not working any more 8 hour shifts...I don’t have to, I’m not gonna. Even the worst shifts can be tolerated for a short time. I’m just not physically able to handle longer. Maybe if they ever figure out what is wrong with me and fix it, I’ll be able to some day...but not now.
Even if we’d just had a nurse aide, it would’ve been better...I spent precious time running around putting people on bedpans and getting them a “snack”.
Well, glad you got through it, but if you forget your medicine again, aren’t you in a place where you could get some? :~)
Seriously, sound like you did good. Hard job.
Good morning everyone. We did love the LOST last night. Worth staying up for.
I don't think I'd want you bringing those two things at the same time, personally. ;~)
Yeah, just sticking with the four hour shifts for now sounds best! No need to make yourself sick!