OMFG! I just worked the longest shift I've ever had in my life!

[flxnimprtmscl]

Originally posted by: Shanti
The longest shift I've ever worked was about 36 straight hours of writing vb code. I'm salary, so no OT for me.

I don't know how some of you guys do that. I'd seriously lose my mind and start having homicidal delusions as a result of having to write code for that long. Flat out nuts.

 

[selene]

wussy.. my company is moving and i been up pretty much the whole week

Friday 7AM - SAT 4:30 AM
SAT 9 AM - now, 1:40 AM
going to sleep now.. free hotel at the hyatt.. sweeet

 

[Pocatello]

I had a 15 hrs shift after Christmas, that wasn't pleasant.

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl

Originally posted by: Shanti
The longest shift I've ever worked was about 36 straight hours of writing vb code. I'm salary, so no OT for me.

I don't know how some of you guys do that. I'd seriously lose my mind and start having homicidal delusions as a result of having to write code for that long. Flat out nuts.

Sometimes, when you are programming, you get "in the zone". I know it's a cheesy saying, but it's true. After struggling with a problem, you sometimes get to a point where it all becomes clear and you can see in your head exactly how you want to go about it. When you get to that point, you want to keep coding until you are done because you worry that if you stop and come back the next day, you will have lost your train of thought.

So I've done really long shifts like that a couple of times due to being "in the zone". I've also done plenty of 18 hour shifts when trying to hit a deadline.

 

[Shockwave]

Back in college I went like 70 hours or so.....
Hey, having a good addiction IS a job!

 

[Adul]

i've done an 18 hour shift :|

 

[NightCrawler]

I want a Doctor who has been awake 35 hours to work me up !

 

[iliopsoas]

Originally posted by: biffbacon
blah blah blah, im in my residency, and work a 28-36 hour shift every third night

I feel for you. But don't you like that rush? And the feeling you get at 7 PM post-call as you walk out of the hospital feeling like you did some good?

Of course, I only had to do every 4th night. YOu must be in general surgery, eh?

 

[iliopsoas]

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: biffbacon

Originally posted by: rudeguy

Originally posted by: biffbacon
blah blah blah, im in my residency, and work a 28-36 hour shift every third night

any specialty you are going for?

anesthesiology, but this is my intern year, and the whole year is surgery.... the actual anesthesia part doesnt start until this july

Why do hospitals do that to their employees? What is the point? I've ready studies that show that the stress and lack of sleep doctors go through really puts a damper on their ability to mentally perform.

Studies have shown that severe sleep deprivation is just as bad as alcohol intoxication in terms of impairing your cognitive skills. Don't you just love knowing that these doctors in training, the people who will sometimes be trying to save your lives, are severely sleep-deprived? LOL

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: iliopsoas

Originally posted by: biffbacon
blah blah blah, im in my residency, and work a 28-36 hour shift every third night

I feel for you. But don't you like that rush? And the feeling you get at 7 PM post-call as you walk out of the hospital feeling like you did some good?

Of course, I only had to do every 4th night. YOu must be in general surgery, eh?

<-- Watching ER reruns all the time and that stuff is pretty evident. They find a room and sleep until a nurse comes by and tells them a trauma is coming through the doors... crazy life. I sometimes question... do they really want to help people or is it just about the money in the end ? Very few people get paid to do what they really love. I think pro athletes have it made.

 

[preCRT]

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: biffbacon

Originally posted by: rudeguy

Originally posted by: biffbacon
blah blah blah, im in my residency, and work a 28-36 hour shift every third night

any specialty you are going for?

anesthesiology, but this is my intern year, and the whole year is surgery.... the actual anesthesia part doesnt start until this july

Why do hospitals do that to their employees? What is the point? I've ready studies that show that the stress and lack of sleep doctors go through really puts a damper on their ability to mentally perform.

Why? Several reasons:

Interns and residents are cheap labor, saves hospitals tons of money.

Current attendings had to suffer through it and want to 'share the pain', otherwise known as tradition.

If the residents are working their butts off, the attendings can rest on their own.