We’re all well aware that nursing means very little sleep coupled with a whole lot of demands. That said, it should come as no surprise that you are very effective multitaskers, even in your sleep!
It’s true—you can give direction, take calls and even upgrade your cable plan…all with your eyes closed and your PJs on (unless, of course, you never made it into them). Don’t believe us? Check out some of the unusual but likewise impressive things your fellow nurses report having said or done all the way from Dreamland on our Funny Nurses Facebook page.
I used to answer my home phone with “ER, this is Aly.” Got lots of laughs till I woke up and realized what was happening. —Alyssn N.
I’m an ED nurse. I’ve apparently asked my husband for his health card in my sleep. I’ve also asked if he has any new or worse cough or shortness of breath…triage apparently sticks with me. —Gillian C.
I once ordered HBO after receiving a phone call from the cable company during my day of sleep. Had no memory of doing it. —Michelle M.
I’ve apparently tried to tell my wife about the pressure alarms on the dialysis machine or tried to give a telemetry report in my sleep. Prob. best is trying to verbally cannulate someone, talking them through the process in my sleep. Thank God my wife is an RN, too, lol. —Scott Thomas M.
I have looked at the digital clock in my and my hubby’s bedroom and thought it was a pulse or reading. I have tried putting a CPAP mask on my hubby (he doesn’t have a CPAP) while searching frantically for his CPAP. I have violated my hubby many times. —Rebecca P.
My wife has searched for a line site on me while telling me to quiet down for a big pinch. —Wesley R.
I’m a night nurse and was in my daily semi-coma half naps I get. My son wanted to go to CVS during the day. I told him, “Go ask the aide in the hall. She will take you.” —Christine B.
I am a peds trach/vent nurse. I have [thrown] blankets and pillows on the floor while searching for my tiny patient in my bed! —Rebecca P.
And then there are the nurses who really know how to turn it off….
My husband says I don’t say anything…I just snore…lol. —Yvonne R.
What about you? Are you a notorious “multitasker?” Tell us about it in the comments section below!