Calling in for no sleep

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · May 31, 2016

luvsltcrn said:
I guess I have a different view point on this topic. As someone who has been on call there have been many times that I have gone in to cover a shift without having had any sleep. If I work day shift and the night shift calls off because she doesn't feel she had enough sleep I get to go back to work and work night shift. How is this any safer? That puts me at being awake 24 hours or even 32 hours if I have to work the next day shift too.

There were times I worked double shifts (16 hours) and was asked to report back for the next shift (four hours later).. being that I lived an hour away from that facility, and my insomniac nature would NEVER have allowed me to force myself to sleep in the small 2 hour window I'd have at home before having to head back, I had to refuse. My boss was unhappy with my doing so-- but we will NEVER be treated with respect if we allow ourselves to be used and abused by administrators.

lady constance · Jun 2, 2016

I would like to remind all of my fellow nurses, that at home we CAN do 18- 20 hour days ( because we CAN and DO go pee when we have to, we can grab a snack, drink a beverage), WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO EVER be forced into that kind of slavery at work..... study after study PROVES the worst patient outcomes happen with staffing 12 hour staffing patterns!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EVERY state board of nursing KNOWS this.......... they recommend NOT working 12 hours shifts, but then sit around and continue to watch evil, less than effective policies in every institution ................and we wonder why there is such disrespect and disdain between managerial nursing and PATIENT care nursing careers.........

...." but everyone is doing it! how can we resist not following the crowd???!! ( even though research tells us this IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR US )

I have 32 years of nursing experience that have made me wise and regret every BAD outcome---and I have yet to see a good outcome of any 12-18 hour shift...........unless it was at my house, with my kids or spouse............

cleback · Jun 2, 2016

It's ridiculous how we still have rotating shifts in our profession. We know they're not safe for the nurse, the patients, and others on the road. I do not believe an institution or nurse can be committed to evidence based practice and still support this schedule.

Enough is enough. We are accepting of WAY too much.

sandyfeet · Jun 2, 2016

ggrn29 said:
If you call in according to policy guidelines, I.e. 4 hrs before shift, it's only your business what the reason is. That being said, sleep deprivation can impair judgment as badly as drugs or alcohol.
If you make an error because you're overly tired, it will be said that you should have known better than to work in such a state.

This is the real issue here. If OP crashes her car because she fell asleep, miscalculates a pediatric dose, gives a med to the wrong patient, or doesn't catch that her patient is crashing until it's too late, it's all on her. Sleep deprivation makes you impaired. Know your limits, follow your hospital policy, use your PTO like anyone in any other profession would do.

needlesmcgeeRN, ASN, RN · Jun 2, 2016

Well, if we get to call in for lack of sleep...I would be calling in 2-3 days out of 5. :roflmao:

Mayche · Jun 2, 2016

I work night shifts too and I believe that it is acceptable to call in sick for no sleep. I feel like I shouldn't be risking my licence just to go to work if I couldn't prepare for it. I went to work on no sleep, had redbull and stuff but it didn't make me comfortable and I try everything to sleep during the day.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Jun 3, 2016

I've done it after a brutal call shift. Sorry, but I'm not working until two in the morning( often for cases that are not emergencies-surgeon wants to jump the schedule) getting home at 2:30-3:00 and then coming in for 7am. Nope, not happening.

greener22, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 3, 2016

I alo have a job wherein I take call at night. We are expected to be at our regular day shift regardless of if we worked all night, but they try to let me take 4 hours first. Doesn't always work out but if I call out for the day after I just worked all night and goes on my record as an inappropriate call out being tired is no excuse. if you can't do that type of work don't have that type of job

RestlessHeart · Jun 4, 2016

If you are using or plan on using FMLA time for a missed day at work for whatever your FMLA reasons are, you do have to tell him/her that reason. "Boss, I cant make it in to work today, use 12 hours FMLA for migraine" (whatever illness you have the FMLA for)

This is a bit of a problem with some nurses where I work.

Working without sleep is horrible. I dont sleep much at all so for me getting no sleep is disastrous. Most nights I sleep as little as 90 minutes, maybe as long as 4 hours but that's rare.

You can learn to sleep standing up if you have to. Ive been known to sleep while working, without anybody noticing because most of what I do now is computer work.

Mommavik, ADN · Jun 4, 2016

The GI issue totally changes my response; in this case you're not calling in due to lack of sleep you're calling in due to illness preventing sleep which is totally different than calling in after 2 days off only because of lack of sleep

daverika · Jun 4, 2016

If sleep deprived driving is equivalent to drunk driving then sleep deprived working is equivalent to working under the influence; don't do it. That being said, YOU are responsible for a schedule that allows adequate time off to get rest. If none of your co-workers are getting enough sleep due to scheduling that is a systemic problem. If you are the only one calling in for lack of sleep... ONCE, that is inconvenient and annoying but understandable, if you give enough notice. Twice...hmmm. Third time you need work with management on a better schedule for yourself or get a different job.

casey1185 · Jun 5, 2016

You went in after drinking a glass of wine?