What Are Your Thoughts On This? Guards Sleeping.

Nurses Relations

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I work on a medial-surgical/telemetry floor as a CNA. Friday, I went in to get an inmates blood sugar around 4:30. The guards had just got there at 3, I think. Well, when I walked in one was laid against the wall sleeping and one was even snoring! What would you have done? Is this appropriate? I did get scared a little because it was a 300 lb male that was a sex offender and had no handcuffs, etc. on. Told the charge nurse whom was a man and I got laughed at. I then went to the supervisor and said it was totally unacceptable and called the facility to inform them.

Guess I just needed to vent and would like to get your input on the situation. :-)

why aren't they handcuffed. the few times we had an inmate on our floor they were locked to the bed.

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I would have just woken them up.

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I would have shook him and said "are you ok?!"

Cause anyone guarding a prisioner who is showing agonal breathing and have their eyes closed MUST need to be assessed for CPR, no?

Its all fun and games until the prisoner takes advantage of the sleeping guard. (or heaven forbid, you). Are their cameras in the unit?

How they choose to work (or not) when you don't need to treat a prisioner is their business. However, I would be crystal clear that when you come in to do 3am sugar checks, their butts best be awake. This is a safety issue.

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Specializes in ICU.

This is what I think. I think too many people care waaay to much about other peoples jobs to mind their own. If the guard wants to sleep n lose his job that's his business. I'm gonna do my job and get out of the room. And yes I used to work in a hospital that got a LOT of prisoners. Sometimes the guards napped. Big deal. I was there to be a nurse not the guards mama. Geez...people and the moral high horse go to far sometimes.

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Specializes in None.
This is what I think. I think too many people care waaay to much about other peoples jobs to mind their own. If the guard wants to sleep n lose his job that's his business. I'm gonna do my job and get out of the room. And yes I used to work in a hospital that got a LOT of prisoners. Sometimes the guards napped. Big deal. I was there to be a nurse not the guards mama. Geez...people and the moral high horse go to far sometimes.

Yeah, and if I didn't care like jadelpn said if this was say a murder because, usually we do not find out why they are there. If he has say, life in prison what is stopping him from taking control over the hospital, especially since none of our inmates are handcuffed (most come in with chest pains)? Then I would look like a fool for not saying anything.

KelRN-I completely agree and it wouldn't have been as bad or I would not have gotten frustrated if, one was awake and the other was sleeping. But, with both of them sleeping and I got at least one sleeping twice made me furious.

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

If I felt unsafe, I would have awakened the guards.

I wouldn't have reported them it that were the first time I found them sleeping.

I never get in a hurry to report anybody, without attempting to remedy the situation myself.

I'll agree that it's unacceptable.

Just as it would be unacceptable if I were sleeping on the job.

In that situation, I'd hope another nurse would wake me, instead of just turning me in.

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Specializes in Trauma/Tele/Surgery/SICU.

Sex offender or not, dangerous or not, (some people are inmates for petty crimes etc.) the guard is being paid to GUARD the prisoner. 99% of the time it is routine and nothing happens but they should still be awake! At one of my facilities we just recently had a prisoner attempt escape.

I have encountered this myself and usually what I do is walk up and tap them on the shoulder. I will usually say something like "hey my charge nurse is rounding periodically and if he/she catches you sleeping they will complain to your facility." This does two things that work in my favor: 1. They usually remain awake afterward. 2. They now see me as an ally and will usually volunteer to help if they can. While I would never ask them to help with patient care, I have had them offer to help with boosts or hand me things etc.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
Sex offender or not, dangerous or not, (some people are inmates for petty crimes etc.) the guard is being paid to GUARD the prisoner. 99% of the time it is routine and nothing happens but they should still be awake! At one of my facilities we just recently had a prisoner attempt escape.

I have encountered this myself and usually what I do is walk up and tap them on the shoulder. I will usually say something like "hey my charge nurse is rounding periodically and if he/she catches you sleeping they will complain to your facility." This does two things that work in my favor: 1. They usually remain awake afterward. 2. They now see me as an ally and will usually volunteer to help if they can. While I would never ask them to help with patient care, I have had them offer to help with boosts or hand me things etc.

Agree with this approach. You can also innocently mention the coffee you just made. I know, who has time to play waitress for the COs, right? Then again, if the patient suddenly decides he has nothing to lose and they are sleeping, you might be glad you offered...

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Wow when we would get inmates at the hospital where I worked, the guards were not allowed to sleep. I guess it would depend on if they are allowed to sleep, but I would suspect not.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

From information provided, I am assuming that this is a custodial situation in a general unit. There is a loooong standing requirement for a hospital orientation for all 'forensic personnel' (guards). It is usually just a document that they read and sign... includes all emergency response issues (fire, codes, etc) as well as a review of their responsibilities. I sincerely doubt that there is any mention that sleeping on the job is allowed under any circumstances.

This is a safety nightmare for the organization. Just imagine how you would explain an 'unfortunate incident' (escape attempt, hostage situation, violence, etc) to other patients, families and the media.... not to mention the impact upon any staff who could be caught up in it. The 'macho nurse' seems to be an enduring persona.... not limited by gender. Some nurses tend to believe that they are invulnerable and can handle anything. This is not reality.

Anyone who has dealt with incarcerated patients knows that they are highly manipulative. It is to their benefit to look as pitiful/unfortunate as possible in order to gain sympathy and support from others. It is easy to forget that they are in custody FOR A REASON! Guards have a job to fulfill. If they cannot stay awake in the room, they need to sit in a chair in the doorway. Staff & others in the facility do not need to be put at risk because they are lazy and inept.

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Specializes in Trauma/Tele/Surgery/SICU.
From information provided, I am assuming that this is a custodial situation in a general unit. There is a loooong standing requirement for a hospital orientation for all 'forensic personnel' (guards). It is usually just a document that they read and sign... includes all emergency response issues (fire, codes, etc) as well as a review of their responsibilities. I sincerely doubt that there is any mention that sleeping on the job is allowed under any circumstances.

This is a safety nightmare for the organization. Just imagine how you would explain an 'unfortunate incident' (escape attempt, hostage situation, violence, etc) to other patients, families and the media.... not to mention the impact upon any staff who could be caught up in it. The 'macho nurse' seems to be an enduring persona.... not limited by gender. Some nurses tend to believe that they are invulnerable and can handle anything. This is not reality.

Anyone who has dealt with incarcerated patients knows that they are highly manipulative. It is to their benefit to look as pitiful/unfortunate as possible in order to gain sympathy and support from others. It is easy to forget that they are in custody FOR A REASON! Guards have a job to fulfill. If they cannot stay awake in the room, they need to sit in a chair in the doorway. Staff & others in the facility do not need to be put at risk because they are lazy and inept.

THIS,THIS, A THOUSAND TIMES THIS! Very excellent points here. Bolded points by me for emphasis. HR and corporate personnel at one of the facilities I work at tried desperately to explain to other patients and family members why they were being shuttled to other places in the hospital in the wee hours, and half the facility was being shut down and sealed off. Not happy people I can tell you that. There was a huge media presence as well. Lots of blowback from that incident which included the staff as well. Lots of media and public scrutiny the facility is still dealing with. Not a case of a sleeping guard but one who made a very poor decision. Regardless of the type of prisoner involved (violent/non-violent) they need to be awake and if they cannot remain awake someone needs to report it and find replacements that can.

I too have dealt with the MACHO nurse who can handle it all (not always men!). Not me honey, they already want me to be part doc, part housekeeper, part pharmacist, part x-ray tech, lab tech, food service etc. Not about to add prison guard to that list!

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