Normally I like coming home after a night shift, you're soooo tired but you know that bedtime is soon and nothing beats the feeling of getting into bed after a busy night shift.
Today the house feels empty and somewhat lonely. I wish my little gang were here as I could really use a hug.
It was a nightmare shift.
I had 4 admissions and 3 transfers before 0100, a poorly patient on hourly observations, a patient whose constipation was causing her agonising pain for which I could do very little and a patient who became dramatically more confused as the night went on. I didn't have enough time to care properly for any of them. And I made mistakes. Nothing life threatening (I hope) but something that left me feeling stupid and incompetent.
I couldn't remember how to draw up an IM injection and I missed the fact that my patients IV antibiotics were due at 0300. I hate my total lack of IV knowledge. Not only does it frustrate me and my colleagues (who are already busy enough with their own patients) but I also think its dangerous. I think introducing SUPERVISED IV administration in the third year would greatly benefit newly qualified a. Not that we shouldn't still undertake post-qualifying IV competences. i believe that having a fundamental understanding of the quirks of IV administration would actually make for greater patient safety.
And then all my paperwork mistakes were pointed out and I have been left feeling crushed.
On reflection I probably should of completed an incident form for the late IV antibiotics but by that point I was ready to cry. They were given and it won't upset the next dose. But why is it not specified that they need to be 12 hours apart? Why do morning IV antibiotics have to be given at 6? How am I supposed to know this if no one has taught me?
Right now I am considering a career move, even my first pay check (which I received today after 2 months of 0 income!) hasn't cheered me up.
I can feel my eyes drifting shit now so I shall conclude my debrief by offering a prayer up to the god of newly qualifieds, in the hope that he takes pity and makes my next shift a better one. My poor battered who can't take another crap one just yet
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