[PhantomRN]

I found in my facility the policy depends on what floor one works on. In the unit the girls are allowed to take a nap, but anywhere else you would be terminated.

[night owl]

Napping on your break is one thing. Sleeping half the tour of duty is another...

[color=royalblue]At my facility, I've had staff sleep from 1am to 4 or 5am. They were written up numerous times and now they no longer work there. Your break time IS your time to do whatever. After that, you're obligated to be fully alert and functioning as a member of the nursing team.

[l-andrée]

I work night shifts and it's largely admitted that those who wants to sleep can do so during their break time. Our chief-nurse has even bought two Lay-Z-Boys for our staff room, paid with money from the budget unit. We also take unoccupied stretchers (we don't use them at night) or beds, in unoccupied rooms to take a nap. Napping during night shifts is sometimes essential to stay alert 'til morning!!

[nurse-lou]

Break? What Break?

Kelly

[Dayannight]

I work nights 7p to 7a and most of us use our lunch break to take a nap. When it's "quiet", we sometimes give each other an extra 15 minutes. It's just a given that when it's "busy", we'll have the occasional shift without a break.

[Teshiee]

I work 7p-7a and it was like an unwritten law that if you sleep you didn't get caught. The good thing on our floor we covered each other so there was no back stabbing efforts. I don't understand some facilities telling you that you cannot sleep on your time. Just as long as you wake up on time no problem. I feel it would be safer. I work in the NICU very tired by 3am. If I get just a 30 minute nap I am really refreshed and ready to finish the shift off.

[moonshadeau]

The only time that I ever took naps on my breaks was when I was a Nursing Aide, and had NO responsibility like I do as an RN. I could sleep for about 25 minutes and wake up in time to go back, feeling slightly better. But part of that was situational at the time. I wouldn't reccomend sleeping on the job at all. But that is me.

[deespoohbear]

You get a break? WOW!!

Seriously though, I think if your lunch time is unpaid, you can pretty much do what you please. At the facility where I work, our 2 15 minute breaks are paid, but our 1/2 lunch is not. So, if I am not being paid its MY time, not theirs. I personally I am one of those people who cannot take a 30 minute nap without feeling worse. I would need a minuium of an hour to feel refreshed!! But, hey I do know some people who can take a 15 minute nap and be ready to take on the world!!

[Cali]

WOW! I can't believe you guys get in trouble for sleeping. I work on L&D at a military hospital on the night shift and it is slow most of the time. We only have about 20-30 deliveries per month so we have alot of downtime. We look out for each other. If someone wants to sleep, someone else will just stay at the desk to answer the phones. If you don't have any patients I don't see what the big deal is. Even if you do have patients, someone should look out for you. I wouldn't want a worn out nurse taking care of me.

[Charles S. Smith, RN, MS]

Be careful to check your hospital policies regarding sleeping on duty, your break times, extended lunch times, documentation of time off the unit, responsible persons who are accountable for your patients while off unit, etc. Get the facts from your hospital. Also check your Board of Nursing regulations regarding impairment on duty. Sleeping in some states is tantamount to impairment while on duty and one can lose a license as a result.
best to all
chas