Night nurses: Do you have a sign?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

My hubby and I are divided on the subject of having a sign on our front door which says something like "Day sleeper -- Do not knock or ring bell between the hours of 8 AM and 4 PM".

I want the sign or else the UPS guy rings the bell, the sales people stop by with their cleaner or whatever they sell, or the neighbor lady stops by to borrow an egg.

My husband worries about the sign, saying that every sicko and rapist will now know that I'm sound asleep and alone. (As if the 100 pound, barking dog won't scare them off.)

What do you all think? Do you have a sign? If not, how do you prevent the inevitable interruptions?

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

I have a small sign that I hang over the door bell button that says "Shiftworker Sleeping. Ring at Your Own Risk". I'm not at all worried about the security aspect since my husband and son are home when I'm not and between the deadbolts and the dog, nobody gets into my house without me knowing. Just ask my respite provider!

When I worked nights, I disconnected the doorbell-used an answering machine (took the phone out of my room), put a no soliciting sign on my door. All neighbors and friends knew I worked nights and didn't bother calling (except my mother in law of course). I've also employed the baby sleeping sign (whether it was one of the babies or I was the baby). I also black out my bedroom, use a fan in the hallway to cover any outside noise (not much as I live in a cul de sac). The only problems I really had were those trying to sell me thier religion (KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK) that didn't consider that solicitation...I set them straight. :p

I guess it depends on your neighborhood as to what you feel safe doing.

~T

Specializes in ER.

I am not a nurse yet only a student but I have used the "baby sleeping" sign for years! I am a stay at home mom and I am just no comfortable with answering the door in the middle of the day when I am alone with my little ones. My sign says "Baby sleeping please do not ring bell. All deliveries may be left on porch" It works like a charm. Our UPS guy must think that I am a regular baby factory! Four years and they still have a baby:)

Tracy

I turn the ringer off of all the phones except one downstair at the lowest volumn. To stop the stranger, I put a 6 feet iron gate out of my front yard. Want to ring my bell? Pls call first. Ha! Ha!

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