[Sabby_NC]

LOL Ummmm when I WAS younger it was party all night and go to work the next day with my nursing collegues but now if I do not get at least a few hours I feel nauseated. That in itself is not a good way to work let me say!! I HATE calling in though but if necessary I would. I am blessed that falling too sleep has not been a real problem for me. (I hope that I don't get to regret typing that LOL)

[Meganan]

I have called in for lack of sleep and almost got fired for it. The facility did not care that I thought I would be an unsafe nurse with vent patients. By the way, The ADOn told me the only reason I didn't get fired was that I was the only RN they had for that shift.

[darrell]

I rarely call in and I could likely do well on one short night, but if I didn't sleep at all, I would consider it. I guard my sleep, setting aside sleep time like I do work time and using techniques like progressive relaxation when I am restless.

Tiredness can be chronic and would require a different approach, but fatigue related to lack of sleep in a person who isn't used to this is too dangerous to toy with. When it happens to me, some people say I act like I've had a couple of drinks. I don't drink, so the change from my baseline must stand right out!

D

[manettohillnurse]

I'm responding to the poll about calling in sick for lack of sleep. I absolutely would call in. A sleep-deprived nurse is a danger to her patients. Having said that, I'd try to rectify the reason for not sleeping.

[sinsay]

I have went to work before sleep deprived. I worked a 12 hour night shift and had only slept 3 hours that day. I went back to work at 7 pm. I felt horrible and unsafe. I could not think straight. It was hard for me to calculate IV drips and drug doses. I was very disorganized and forgetful. I will not do this again. It is to RISKY!

[annie4747]

I,would certainly call in if I had not enough sleep to safely care for my clients. I wouldn't want someone impaired caring for me not for all the tea in Boston.

[nursemike]

I've called in for lack of sleep, although, usually, if I don't get five-six hours, there's probably another health problem going with it. Couple times, though, it was my Dad's health that kept me awake.
Our P&P says you're unfit for duty if nodding off at work. Sounds right to me. That said, there have been times I've been wide awake while up and moving, but barely able to keep my eyes open while charting, despite a more-or-less reasonable amount asleep. Once also woke up in the middle of recording report--I was talking away, but no idea what I was saying.

On a related note, once when I was called to see if I would come in extra, I said I would be happy to, but they'd have to send someone to pick me up, because I was way too drunk to drive. They didn't bug me again for awhile.

[azhiker96]

Originally Posted by manettohillnurse

I'm responding to the poll about calling in sick for lack of sleep. I absolutely would call in. A sleep-deprived nurse is a danger to her patients. Having said that, I'd try to rectify the reason for not sleeping.

I agree!

[cardsRN]

depends. every friday night i go in for a 12 having been up all day with my son. then go back in for 12 sat and sun noc. but you better believe i sleep like a rock sat and sun day. lack of sleep becomes a natural state for a mom. you learn to deal. but there have been times i probably should have called in because i was really out of it at work. it's not safe, but as you all know, management is not receptive to call outs for any reason. the coroner could call out for you and they'd probably argue! lol

[steelcityrn]

no sleep = unable to concentrate..... better to miss that day