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.
