Sleeping during nightshift!!

Nurses General Nursing

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KellNY, RN

710 Posts

Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.

nursey, I agree.

Ask any supervisor, and I think the consensus will be that, as long as it's not illegal, an RN, CNA, whatever should be allowed to do whatever they want on their UNPAID (or paid, if you're lucky) break. Sleep, shoot craps, eat, go for a jog, have sex, twiddle your thumbs, read a book, do a crossword puzzle, pray, (though hopefully not all at the same time-although that would be interesting to see ;) ) whatever.

Me personally, I can't fall asleep in 30min-not here anyway. So I'll either go for a walk, do some yoga/stretching, maybe even run to Dunkin Donuts if staffing allows. Whatever it takes to help myself feel refreshed-better for me, better for my patients.

I'll be damned if a supervisor or fellow RN is going to tell me what I can and can't do during MY break! (within limits of course, before someone twists my words-no drinking, doing drugs, killing people, prostituting yourself, etc)

Drysolong

512 Posts

Specializes in LTC and MED-SURG.
I think its totally ridiculous that a worker would even consider sleeping while at work, whether on break or not. That's ridiculous. Ask a supervisor about this and I bet you would find this is against any and all rules. I've worked in nursing homes as an LPN, and in hospitals in three states as an RN and I've never allowed sleeping nor have I ever tolerated. That said...its never been an issue.

If you are so tired that you must sleep at work, you need to look for another job or get into a better routine. I worked nights for 12 years straight and yes I was very tired some days, but I never considered sleeping.

As a supervisor, what did you "allow" your subordinates to do during their "unpaid" lunch breaks? I'm new to nursing, but have been in the workforce 30+ years, and I think it's "totally ridiculous" for another human being to think that they can control what I do "off-the-clock". (Of course with the exception of illegal activities or activities that would impair my ability as a nurse to care for my patients (duties).

Trauma Columnist

traumaRUs, MSN, APRN

88 Articles; 21,249 Posts

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I stand behind the premise that sleeping at work should not be allowed. I too went into nursing as a second career and in my other positions, never ever saw anyone sleep.

Maybe this is something new??? Like I said, I've worked in five states (IL, IN, NV, IA, AK) and have never seen it.

Then, I wonder how you go 12.5 hours without eating?? I did want to back up my opinion with some facts too so here goes:

"Nevertheless, the randomized study that compared nappers with non-nappers working the night shift at a Stanford hospital ER was not all positive. The nappers did not exceed the nonnappers in all parameters, and during post-shift driving simulator tests even the nappers had catastrophic lapses in motor skills."

This is from a study done at Stanford: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/psychiatryNews/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=193501573&cid=BreakingNews

I don't see the WHY of needing to nap while at work. I've had several other jobs other than nursing that did not require much thought or had much responsibility and never would have napped. My point is that you need to get enough sleep off duty. A nap is not what is going to save you during your shift.

And...I'll be honest, I'm one of those non-nappers even during my time off. The one thing I've learned after many years on night shift is that you must guard your sleep and ensure that you get enough.

Even when you are off the clock, if there is an emergency, you may be expected to return to work (and of course be paid for it). Then...I'm expected to go wake up folks??

The hospital where I was last employed (for 10 years) did not allow sleeping at work because our breaks were paid time. They also did not allow us to leave the campus. However, where the hospital is located, it would not have been feasible to go anywhere during a 30 minute break. At any rate, I would like to continue this, but I gotta go to work myself.

clemmm78, RN

440 Posts

See, its not a matter of whether its refreshing or not, its WORK, not SLEEP. Therefore, when at WORK, one WORKS! And if its so okay to sleep at WORK, then why doesn't day shift do it? Answer....its not okay and is not sanctioned by managment.

And...what happens if your patient codes during nap time? When I was a staff nurse, I just gave a quick report to the nurse watching my patients while I took my break. So...she/he didn't have a complete picture, just enough to get by for the time I was at lunch. However, if there is a problem, they come and get you.

As to the folks with kids who must be up during the day - this isn't realistic. I worked nights when my kids were small, but used daycare when school wasn't in session or their father was at work. However, I know how exhausting this can be and I do sympathize. Maybe these folks could change to evening shift? Or...work prn?

do nurses on day or evening shift every leave the premises during their break? Do they ever go outside for a cigarette or run to the nearest restauarant for a quick bite? If so, how is that any different than taking a quick nap ON YOUR OWN TIME?

Cattitude

696 Posts

Specializes in Lie detection.
i stand behind the premise that sleeping at work should not be allowed. i too went into nursing as a second career and in my other positions, never ever saw anyone sleep.

"nevertheless, the randomized study that compared nappers with non-nappers working the night shift at a stanford hospital er was not all positive. the nappers did not exceed the nonnappers in all parameters, and during post-shift driving simulator tests even the nappers had catastrophic lapses in motor skills."

this is from a study done at stanford: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/psychiatrynews/showarticle.jhtml?articleid=193501573&cid=breakingnews

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but did you read the entire article? because i did and it did not appear negative towards napping overall.

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[color=#483d8b]i c&p'd this "the authors wrote that they hope that by providing scientific data that support the benefit of napping, hospitals and other employers will consider policy changes that include nap breaks to help improve safety and performance. "

except for the immediate few minutes after waking up, it seems that the majority of tasks performed were equal. the driving simulation in the a.m. was done poorly by both groups and also they felt people were relaxed knowing they were in a simulation anyway.

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[color=#483d8b]the article was interesting, thank you. i took it as "middle of the road". :smilecoffeeilovecof they did take away caffeine though and we all know , noc shift needs that!!!

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nurseangel47

594 Posts

Specializes in geriatric, hospice, med/surg.

A communication to the state board of nursing in your state is in order as soon as possible. Not only is this grounds for dismissal, it is indeed grounds for being allowed to sleep the rest of their non-nursing career away at home! With no license to practice! What a bold and cheeky thing to try to pull. I'd have no qualms at all of calling or going online to report this to B.O.N. Good luck with it. It is so unfair, unprofessional, and sloppy, really criminal behavior, if you ask me. Someone could die or slip down the slippery slope while they're napping on the job. Makes me :madface: !

jamonit

295 Posts

Specializes in retail NP.

Originally Posted by CASbeezgirlRN

No pt's were ever left compromised or unattended.

how do you know? you were sleeping!

jamonit

295 Posts

Specializes in retail NP.
A communication to the state board of nursing in your state is in order as soon as possible. Not only is this grounds for dismissal, it is indeed grounds for being allowed to sleep the rest of their non-nursing career away at home! With no license to practice! What a bold and cheeky thing to try to pull. I'd have no qualms at all of calling or going online to report this to B.O.N. Good luck with it. It is so unfair, unprofessional, and sloppy, really criminal behavior, if you ask me. Someone could die or slip down the slippery slope while they're napping on the job. Makes me :madface: !

pachooooowwwww! bam slam!

:trout: :nono: :argue: :lol_hitti :redlight: :redlight: :smiley_ab :behindpc: :deadhorse :deadhorse :sleep:

HAHAHAHAHAHAH!

Cattitude

696 Posts

Specializes in Lie detection.
originally posted by casbeezgirlrn

no pt's were ever left compromised or unattended.

how do you know? you were sleeping!

because, whenever we went on our unpaid break, we were required to give report to another nurse. this nurse then was responsible for pt's. upon return from break, that nurse updated us on status of pt's. if i ever had an unstable pt, i didn't take my break anyway. i was fortunate to work with a great team and we were very cohesive.

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[color=#483d8b]in my experience as an agency nurse however, i didn't feel comfortable sleeping on break, i did see staff doing it though.

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[color=#483d8b]everyone's entitled to their own opinion but as other's have already stated.. no one is going to tell me what i can or cannot do on my unpaid break. nope.. luckily, i do not work nights anymore but i fully support those that choose to take a quick nap on their break time..

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jamonit

295 Posts

Specializes in retail NP.
because, whenever we went on our unpaid break, we were required to give report to another nurse. this nurse then was responsible for pt's. upon return from break, that nurse updated us on status of pt's. if i ever had an unstable pt, i didn't take my break anyway. i was fortunate to work with a great team and we were very cohesive.

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[color=#483d8b]in my experience as an agency nurse however, i didn't feel comfortable sleeping on break, i did see staff doing it though.

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[color=#483d8b]everyone's entitled to their own opinion but as other's have already stated.. no one is going to tell me what i can or cannot do on my unpaid break. nope.. luckily, i do not work nights anymore but i fully support those that choose to take a quick nap on their break time..

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hey, what ever works, ya know? i was just laughing at that brutal response by that lady saying she's going to call people's bon to tattle.

anyway, i'm new to nursing, so my opinion isn't based on experience. just thought this was funny. :smiletea2:

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

If i'm needing a nap at work (which i wouldn't take), then perhaps i need more sleep at home.

nurseangel47

594 Posts

Specializes in geriatric, hospice, med/surg.

Jamonit: Wonder how funny YOU'D think it is when it's you or one of your relatives who suffer needlessly at the hands of a nurse who is off sleeping in his/her car during their break? I feel passionately about this issue and it is my right to vent on here like everyone else.

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