Calling in for no sleep

[Nurse131382]

On Friday I was scheduled a 12 hour shift that went to 3:30am. The Monday after I am scheduled to work at 0700. I had one night to try and totally change my sleep schedule. That being said it's 3am and I haven't slept a wink. I need at least 5 hours of sleep to function and that obviously isn't going to happen. Is it acceptable to call in because you haven't slept?

[Mommavik, ADN]

I totally agree! I am now on disability having been forced to stop working due to mental/cognitive problems related to narcolepsy and sleep apnea (officially due to my neuropathy) but I felt unsafe making judgements for my patients so I can understand totally nurses feeling unsafe on no sleep or too little sleep. BTW;in my opinion most times the person doesn't realize the judgement is faulty until AFTER the decision is made, it seems quite reasonable at the time

[adumblonde68]

I have worked my shift plus an overtime shift, too much coffee and I only slept 1 hr. Then had to come back and work another 16 hrs, which again I was only able to sleep 1 hr. I cried on the way to work, but made it through. I have now mastered the fine art of when to stop ingesting caffeine so I can sleep for the few hours I have between shifts sometimes. I will take a benadryl or melatonin to help me fall asleep, so the 4-6 hrs I get are restful, and of course drink coffee at work or use caffeine bites (energy chews called Compete, sold at GNC I believe, but I buy boxes online). Bottom line, I'm heading towards 50 years old and do what i need to do to be responsible at work, but work is a committment and it is our duty to know our own bodies and manage them to meet our commitments. Do I recommend working back-to-back double shifts with only 1 hr sleep in between? Never! But I know myself and powered through so my lack of forethought doesn't become someone else's problem. Last suggestion, the coffee-nap. Drink a cup of coffee or ingest a good amount of caffeine quickly (like the starbucks double shot in a can or whatever you like) do this just before you are able to take a 20-30 minute nap. It wi get you through like you slept much more and you will feel alert. Ok, sorry this was so long!

[Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP]

I called out for a lack of sleep one time ever. I already had trouble sleeping for night shift and it was getting to panic levels. One day I had a 4 hour long panic attack & couldn't sleep even with Benadryl, melatonin, and tequila. I literally didn't sleep a single minute. I then spoke with my manager & moved to days a few months later.

[BroomQueen]

That's what I was thinking. She got off work Saturday 330am and doesn't have to be back at work until Monday 7am, there's 15 1/2 hrs in between getting off shift and getting back on, MORE than enough time..

[HJaneF]

yeah i would call in!

[Tbutbu]

daverika said:

If sleep deprived driving is equivalent to drunk driving then sleep deprived working is equivalent to working under the influence; don't do it.

There are plenty of articles to back this up as well

[suseliz, MSN, RN]

My son didn't sleep before his shift because of a "mandatory" meeting in the middle of the day when he worked in a group home. He fell asleep driving home and caused a 3 car pile-up. When he was a resident he would pull over and sleep. I've had all sorts of close calls driving home after working nights. You have to be safe for your shift AND safe getting home again.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

yeah, this!

CountryMomma said:

I have had a coworker call out for not enough sleep. She wasn't punished... it was her PTO...

...but none of us felt very kindly towards her after absorbing her shift, her excuse spread through the gossip channels, and people stopped being willing to trade shifts with her, cover for lunch, etc.

You had time to sleep.

[JohnHood, BSN]

The glass of wine truly should have been a no no. Had you been tested for any reason you could have been terminated and reported to your board.

[futurecnm]

I personally wouldn't call in for not sleeping. Were you sick or lacking sleep? If sick, that's different story and you could have asked that question. Maybe you should look at getting off nights.

[suseliz, MSN, RN]

The reality is that working nights takes a physiological toll on your body. I shudder to think of all the near misses I experienced driving home from working nights, even after sleeping the day before.

[Swellz]

I've done it. I've also come in on no sleep, been honest with my boss when she asked why I looked terrible, and been sent home. Just because I want to adjust my sleep schedule to my work schedule doesn't mean my body cooperates. I do what I feel is safe when it happens. Sometimes I can work without issue.