Proverbial "Week from Hell"

Holy crud!

I haven't felt this tired since they made us do forced marches in the Army with a full pack and ammo load over beach sand. My legs feel like they've been hammered with a baseball bat. My brain is quite literally numb. More like mush.

Blech!

The entire freaking hospital has been packed to the gills all week. I think we had ONE bed (each) free in the Cath Lab and the ICU. That's it. Every other unit was packed. I was seeing 10 patients a night - 2 admits, 2 discharges, 2 routines and usually 4 post-ops. I think we had a code almost every night on the floor. Every body is in a foul, evil mood.

I just want to crawl into bed and sleep for a week. But I'd already volunteered for an extra shift tonight.

Which will be my 5th 12 hour shift in a row. *groan*

Note to self: Next time charge nurse drips sugar and honey when asking you to volunteer for an extra shift - don't be an idiot and say "Yes!" without checking your schedule first!

I feel like a world class moron. At that time, a part of my brain was probably telling me "I smells a rat here" but I was probably too dumb (or too tired. Lack of sleep has wondrous effects on your judgement) to notice.


Meh! So that's where I've been all friggin' week. The only good thing was that I finally got my tickets confirmed for my vacation and sent the dates to my boss. Charge nurses aren't happy (though I'm scheduled for only 3 12s a week... I work an extra shift or two almost on a routine basis), because now they're gonna have to scramble like mad to fill my slots.

I don't care. I haven't had a vacation in over 4 years now. I haven't been home in over 3 years. I need a break or I'm going to burn out...