Night shift and Sleeping

Sun0408, ASN, RN · Mar 22, 2011

Not sure where those others worked but on nights I as well as all of my co-workers except for a few CNA's did not have time to sleep. We were way to busy. We had 36 pts and plenty to do.. Most of the dressing changes, IV's etc were done at night as well as all total care pts were done at night..

For me, 5am was my wall and yep coffee was needed until time to get the pts that were going to hemo ready or to the OR :) Then it was balls to the wall again...

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Mar 22, 2011

No sleeping at my facility, the constant request for PRNs, GTs to check on.

The NOC shift nurse does all the GT dressing changes for my facility, plus stocking the supplies of tube feedings, most bottles are replaced at night, and then our paraplegics have their bowel protocol done during NOC shift, then at 5am it is the mad dash to get the CBGs done and the med pass.

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Mar 22, 2011

I have never worked anyplace that sleeping on the job was acceptable. We did have a coworker who had a FT day job and a FT night job (long dramatic story) and we felt bad for him, so we would cover for him so he could CLOCK OUT and go lay down on the CT table when it was dead. Keys words being CLOCK OUT. Certainly we would not have let him sleep on the clock.

Otessa, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2011

This is a spinoff thread from the thread about the nurse getting caught sleeping. I have always wondered if everyone stays awake on night shift (RN Wise). I am a CNA (getting my BSN in May) and every NURSING HOME I have worked in, workers have slept between rounds mostly CNAs but some nurses (LPNs). I have a big fear that I will end up falling asleep during night shift in the hospital and was wondering what keeps night shift nurses up at night??? Is it an easy feat or does it require a bunch of coffee and willpower???

Didn't like the taste of coffee my first 5 years on nights (drank soda though).

Never fell asleep at work on all my years on night shift-was too darn busy!!

If I felt a little tired during a (rare) slow time, I would go on rounds again or walk up and down the halls.

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2011

The 'wall' of tiredness on nightshift always hits me between 3 & 4 am. I usually go into the loo, splash cold water on my face, put a cardigan on as it gets cold at this time, and walk around to keep warm. We never got breaks in 10 hours n/shifts at my hospital so getting a cuppa was not an option. But it was too busy to feel the effects of being tired. If ur feeling cold and tired and sitting down, ur not working hard enough! Find something to keep you occupied to stay awake. Also keep a big water bottle nearby and stay well hydrated.

Also find the time to pee too!

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2011

Yes I 4got to add at about 5.30 am you will be running round when patients start to wake up, want the bathroom etc, and trying to start all your meds, plus do obs, PCA checks, IDC checks, etc so you definitely won't be bored or tired!

I wouldn't worry about it too much, your body will get into a routine and adjust.

Hay Nars, RN · Mar 22, 2011

it is a lot harder to stay awake the whole 12 hours (7p-7a) on an ortho/rehab unit. everyone that i worked with napped. i asked to be switched to days because i kept snoozing from around 1am to about 5am. really - it's hard! :down:

CBsMommy · Mar 23, 2011

I cannot imagine sleeping on the job. We do have someone that uses their lunch time to sleep but it's their lunch time so whatever!

When we are slow, I can usually be found cleaning something like the visitor's lunchroom or the handrails in the halls. I hate to sit down because, yes, I will get tired and it usually hits me around 0430 or 0500.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2011

Hit me every night at 2 am on the dot. Queasy, light headed, out of sorts, not on my game; not sleepy per se, though. After six months, even my nurse manager knew I wasn't cut out for it and moved me to days. She had heard my stories of having to slap my face repeatedly on the way home and was terrified I was going to fall asleep at the wheel on the way home. None of the other night shift nurses wanted the open day shift slot, which I could hardly believe. I was delighted to accept the position!

Chin up · Mar 23, 2011

I have never, repeat never slept on nights. I am wide awake, if sick, I may drag, but never sleep. There is plenty to do, and I loved the peace, working alone at my pace. Once my downtime came@ 2am, that is when I would do little things to make my 7-3 co workers happy. I also would do all the edits, summaries and referrals. By 5 am, when my busy time with meds and CBG's, I would get a second wind. Even after work, I did not sleep til 1pm. I would shop and do my household errands. I was a true night person. When I started getting cranky, snippy and not liking the residents anymore, I quit and went to days. My body stopped after 20 years so rather than sleep through a shift, I quit. We get paid to work and the patients, residents deserve a nurse to care for them every second. Nurses who sleep are irresponsible and are stealing from their employers as well as neglecting the residents. They are also setting themselves up for serious mistakes. I am by no means a goody two shoes. But, I believe you should never sleep on any job, unless that job states you can. Peace!

chybabe · Mar 23, 2011

I worked night shift in the hospital and there was no time whatsoever to even sleep a wink. We were too slammed for that, so hopefully you won't get bored when you start at the hospital. Just know that sleeping at work can be risky as something could happen at any point in time.