Sleep Disorders

Nurses General Nursing

Published

After nursing for 7 yrs...I have developed a severe sleep disorder. I have gone up to 18 days without significant REM sleep. Needless to say, I'm off on disability until I retrain. Has anyone else gone through this? I developed severe cardiac issues and was hospitalized?????? My union contract enforces modified work duty, but my employer refused (no one does straight days except mgmt....that includes MI pts, stokes, etc etc....nice workplace) How have you dealt with this. What are our options? Help????:nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Care, Hospice, OB.

no union, so can't speak to that..

but for me personally, cpap and a sleeping tab prn have turned the tide.

good luck!:redpinkhe

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/ER.

1st thought that ran through my head was glass of wine and a Tylenol pm.

But if you actually were hospitalized and on disability well that is pretty serious. If your hospital wont let you work straight days, you will have to find another job. Period. I dont think your going to get them to budge, as if they do for one, they have to do for others.

I have never heard of a facility that requires all nurses to work all shifts, at my hosp we have our day staff and our night staff. 7-7. I thought that was the norm?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

We have some that rotate on other units. However most are either straight days or nights. I would find other employment if my employer wouldn't accomodate me with switching my shift for my health.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

We can't provide medical advice, but would suggest consulting with sleep specialist to get this issue treated. Take care and good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, PACU, Med-Surg, Hospice, LTC.

I am so sorry. Not sleeping well is a horrible thing to have to experience.

Did you go for a sleep study and/or other work-ups?

Just curious, did you get approved for State Disability or is it Labor and Industries/Workman's Compensation?

If it is L&I/WC because the sleep disorder is a result of work, I would personally hire a WC attorney to assist you with your claim.

Good luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's not the norm in Ontario....however, most corporations follow the collective agreement and allow accomodation. But not always

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Was on sleep meds...finally off that!!!!!! Ive seen a sleep specialist. They suggested I find another career lol!!!!! iM OK AS LONG AS i DONT DO NIGHTS. rETRAINING (DIALYSIS) Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and what they have done to remedy it....or not

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.
Ive seen a sleep specialist. They suggested I find another career lol!!!!!

You should have turned around and said something to the effect of 'how would you cope if someone had told you to change your job on the basis of shift work as opposed to experience/ability to do the job' LOL

You may have to consider finding another hospital to work at? What about community dialysis units, I imagine they are day shift only?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

I sleep well as long as I have my shifts in a row and do not have excessive overtime. And only occasionally need Tylenol PM. But when I was given a very bad schedule, I developed severe insomnia. Suggest you look at how your shifts are scheduled, your sleep hygiene habits, and see a doctor for prn sleep medication.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment