Am I the only person who DOESN'T sleep on the night shift.

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

Ok. So I work 3 nights in a row this weekend for my new job for a Hospice pt that they were revoking hospice service on because she was stable and not going anywhere anytime soon. On the first night the caregiver poked her head at about 3am and asked me why I wasn't sleeping. I told her I never sleep on the night shift. She gave me a funny look like I was crazy. This patient had 24/7 nurses for the last month. I couldn't possibly be the only one to stay awake could I?

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Specializes in private-duty, hospital, LTC, clinic.

I stay awake also, but I do know that some cases allow their nurses to snooze if they feel that they can be alert to respond. I could be alert, but feel that if you are being paid, and have chosen to work night shift you should work night shift !! Besides, it's illegal to sleep if you are a Medicaid provider.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

When I interviewed with my agency, I told them I preferred nights. They made it very clear that all night shifts are awake shifts. I've had a harder time staying awake during day shifts.

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I also inform my clients that I stay awake on night shift to do my job. I had one client who insisted that the lights be off and he wanted the nurses to sleep. I told him what my responsibilities were and that I intended to follow them. I used a flashlight and had a terrible time sitting there in the dark on that one.

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Specializes in private-duty, hospital, LTC, clinic.

"I also inform my clients that I stay awake on night shift to do my job. I had one client who insisted that the lights be off and he wanted the nurses to sleep. I told him what my responsibilities were and that I intended to follow them. I used a flashlight and had a terrible time sitting there in the dark on that one."

Wow, I don't know if I could sit in the dark all night !! Must have been intolerable !! Hope you didn't have to do that too many times :uhoh3: Tonight is my last NOC shift, resigned this case, adult vent, going back to peds,

a baby:heartbeat I'm sooo excited, and it's day shift.

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This guy lived sort of out in the country. I heard a lot of sounds sitting there in the dark! I didn't like it. The job did not last long for me.

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.
I also inform my clients that I stay awake on night shift to do my job. I had one client who insisted that the lights be off and he wanted the nurses to sleep. I told him what my responsibilities were and that I intended to follow them. I used a flashlight and had a terrible time sitting there in the dark on that one.

I think the client's comfort should come before the nurse's, and the light shoudlnt' have to stay on all night for the nurse's benefit. But wasn't there a room (or hallway) where you could sit? Or did the job require that you stay all night at the patient's bedside?

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You can't monitor a patient or the status of the patient's ventilator from another room. The whole purpose of monitoring a patient at night is to have access to the patient. His room setup did not allow that if not sitting at his bedside. My job is to monitor the patient, not sleep. Nobody pays a night nurse to sleep.

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Specializes in Private Duty, L&D.

i wouldn't dare sleep on the night shift!! how could i possibly care for my patients if i'm asleep?!?! i wouldn't hear vent alarms, pulse ox monitor alarms, crying, seizures, respiratory distress, etc. wow, i can't believe that there are some nurses who do sleep on night shift. i'm not paid to sleep on the job; i'm paid to care for my patients while they sleep and make sure that they are safe.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
This guy lived sort of out in the country. I heard a lot of sounds sitting there in the dark! I didn't like it. The job did not last long for me.

I wouldn't want to sit in the dark way out in the country either. I don't think it's too much to ask that people who need nursing care in the home accomodate the nurse to a certain extent. A clip-on light or something is not unreasonable if they don't want you to sit on the other side of a wall with some light. We have a right not to trip over all the cords to the Durable Medical Equipment, too.

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Kudos to all of you that don't sleep! Night shifts aren't for everyone and I will not tolerate sleeping by the nurse when she she/he is supposed to be watching my son. I know not all families have ideal set-ups for nurses; I don't think mine is perfect. The fact that my little guy is blind makes it easier on the nurses because they can quietly watch a movie, study or chart. I know other vent moms that don't allow television, computers, cell phones or lights being on and I can't imagine what that is like for the nurses.

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I have never slept while on night duty. I usually like to read. However, I have been cursed for the past few years. I have applied for night shift positions and all I can find is day shift positions. I love doing night shifts.:heartbeat

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