Asleep at the Wheel?

Published

  1. How often does fatigue effect your ability to drive after working your shift?

    • 5
      1-2 times/week
    • 2
      3-4 times/week
    • 0
      >5 times/ week
    • 3
      never having an impact

10 members have participated

Specializes in Critical Care.

Hello fellow nursing professionals

I've noticed in my hospital that there are always RN's or other nursing professionals that are having car accidents after working a long shift. These shifts are typically 12hrs, but can go up to 16hrs.

There just isn't a lot of data that has been gathered by any 1 organization on the topic of nursing fatigue and the dangers it poses and I feel like this topic is in great need of exploration! We are endangering not only ourselves, but our patients, and then those that may be driving near us. It goes without saying that Med errors are also a major concern when we are so sleep deprived that we can barely function.

Please send me any information that you may feel would be relivant to this topic and I will gladly compile everything that I receive from you and begin trying to make a case for the fact that nurses are over worked. These can be accident reports, stories/personal experiences, etc... Please make sure to obey all laws of confidentiality and feel free to remain anonymous if you chose.

Too many RN's have died before their time due to sleep deprevation and fatique, let's try to find a way for safety to be not only our #1 priority for our patients, but also for each other. Thank you for your help.

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Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

I'm attaching studies regarding fatigue and patient safety.

Clearly the end of a long shift would be the time of most risk.

Association of Sleep and Fatigue With Decision Regret Among Critical Care Nurses_Am J Crit Care-.pdf

Joint Commission_Fatigue_Patient Safety.pdf

Effects of Nurse Fatigue.pdf

Fatigue_Safety_AHRQpsresearch[1].pdf

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You are missing the 4th option of fatigue never having an impact on your drive home.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Thank you for the articles, I will most certainly use them!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

AH! You're right about the 4th option. Thanks

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Specializes in retired LTC.

An interesting topic. I wonder if Triple A or anyone else has done a study specific to shift workers. I'd bet it'd be an eye-opener. Just never thought about it before as an observation. Those of us who do drive after odd shifts usually find specific ways to drive as safe as we can.

I bet the auto insurance industry has prob done some research.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I can't answer your poll; fatigue HAS impacted my ability to drive home, but not 1-2x a week. I want to say it's done so 3 times in the past year? I drive home at 0730. When I have had trouble staying awake behind the wheel, it has been when traffic is moving too slowly for me to get home in my usual 20 minutes. This has been from traffic being heavier than normal or from the roads being icy. Either way, my bedtime is delayed because of the slow ride, and then the stop-and-go is harder for me to stay alert for than actually driving at highway speeds. Does that make sense?

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

You're missing the option of fatigue not having an impact on your driving. I work mostly nights, and rarely have problems with fatigue impacting my driving on the way home.

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An interesting topic. I wonder if Triple A or anyone else has done a study specific to shift workers. I'd bet it'd be an eye-opener. Just never thought about it before as an observation. Those of us who do drive after odd shifts usually find specific ways to drive as safe as we can.

I bet the auto insurance industry has prob done some research.

Much research has been done in the transportation and mining industries. I'm sorry I'm not able to post any links where I am at the moment.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

I've never had an issue driving home. However, after a day of working not only my scheduled 8 hour shift but also however many hours of call back time (OR specialty team where there is no relief-we finish our own cases no matter how long they run), I have had issues with being alert the following morning. My most recent crazy day had me allowed only 2 hours of sleep from end of final case to beginning of next shift.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
You are missing the 4th option of fatigue never having an impact on your drive home.

Edit poll to include this option.

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I never have a problem driving home from work after my 12 hour night shifts, even though my drive is over an hour. The adreneline of working, plus the caffeine I have imbibed over a 12 hour shift always ensure a smooth trip home.

I have, however, had difficulty staying alert during my drive TO work in the afternoon/evening. Sometimes it gets to the point where I can't keep both eyes all the way open so I settle for one open and one closed, or both half closed. It's tortorous. Windows all the way open, music blasting, literally pinching myself to stay awake. Thankfully that only happens maybe every 3 months or so.

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