Calling in for no sleep

KRVRN, BSN, RN · May 23, 2016

If it's frequent, rethink things and find a solution. If it's once in awhile because something comes up--or in you case, out--then absolutely call off if it means you'll be running on empty.

brandy1017, ASN, RN · May 23, 2016

I admit I have called off due to no sleep myself. I know others who work with no sleep or get only 3-4 hours and come to work. I'm not one of them. I don't feel that is safe. I've read someone with lack of sleep is similar to a drunk person in reaction time.

That said you have to find a way to get the sleep you need because you can't make it a habit to call in for lack of sleep. I wouldn't mention it to anyone because I doubt others would be sympathetic.

There is a culture in nursing to come to work no matter what and just tough it out, kind of like the military and management plays on this and uses this to get staff to work overtime rather than hire more staff. When you've been a nurse for a while you realize there is a never ending shortage of staff with constant pressure to work extra. I learned pretty quick to just not answer the phone.

As for your insomnia, perhaps talking to you Dr for a sleep aid would be a good idea. Rotating shifts are really bad for establishing a regular sleep schedule. Hopefully you can find a solution that works for you.

Ruas61, BSN, RN · May 23, 2016

If you need to call off for lack of sleep best make up another reason if prodded for one. If this becomes a pattern than you better re-evaluate the situation.

brandy1017, ASN, RN · May 23, 2016

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.

I totally understand this attitude and the errant coworker was foolish to admit to others calling in for lack of sleep. It is one thing to be out drinking and partying and choose not to sleep and another to be unable to sleep due to stress, insomnia or rotating shifts! Of course this needs to be fixed and fast.

I admit I've called in for lack of sleep but would never tell any coworker this for the hostile attitude. I don't want to take the chance of coming in and making a mistake due to lack of sleep. I'm sure others have called in due to insomnia and stress ie the so called mental health holiday, but people see them as either weak or lazy. So be it, we have to decide if we are safe to work. If you don't feel you can safely function than call in, but you have to fix the problem so it doesn't become a chronic situation.

calivianya, BSN, RN · May 23, 2016

I have had problems with insomnia my whole life, so I know how much that sucks. That being said...

I have never called in due to lack of sleep, and I never will. If I have to work in the near future, and I think there's even the slightest possibility I'm not going to sleep well, I go ahead and take 50mg of diphenhydramine, which is usually (but not always) enough to get me drowsy enough to go to sleep. If the diphenhydramine doesn't cut it, I take an Ambien. One or both of those will usually knock me out enough to sleep some.

I'm just glad diphenhydramine finally works for me. It used to treat me like an old person where I'd get restless/fidgety instead of sedated, but at some point my brain chemistry flipped around and it finally makes me sleepy like everyone else. It sucked to take so much Ambien.

cocoa_puff · May 23, 2016

I called in once due to no sleep, the only time I have ever called in. But the reason I couldn't sleep was due to nausea and vertigo (it was really weird). Shift starts at 6am, with an hour drive (needed to leave at 4:50am), and I was still awake at 3:30am. I didn't feel well enough to make that drive, let alone work a 12 hour shift, and then drive another hour home. I knew I could hurt someone in that state. When I called in, I just said I needed to call in because I was sick. I didn't give any other details. I felt bad about it, but I ended up working a few extra shifts the next week to make up for it.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · May 23, 2016

So you worked Friday night and still didn't sleep by Monday morning? If you truly haven't slept in almost 2 days then yes, you should call in. You should also see your MD and maybe try something for that kind of insomnia. You should also not call in for lack of sleep. That level of tired would legitimately make you feel lousy, so better to call in sick. Your co-workers would very likely not be pleased at having to cover your shift just because you didn't get enough sleep the night before.

I have to say I though that I find it highly unlikely that you haven't slept in that long. Friday night to Monday morning should have been more than adequate time to rest before you work again.

Editorial Team / Admin · May 23, 2016

The only time I've called in (which was in reality left ASAP) due to lack of sleep was when I worked a 24 hour shift due to call and was relieved when the OR staff arrived at 0700 to start the day.

I get that it's hard to reset a sleep schedule working rotating shifts, but there was time to sleep. The GI thing is something totally different and adds a whole new element to calling off. Does your facility have a policy on how long you have to be diarrhea/vomit free?

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · May 23, 2016

Have to do what you have to do, but I wouldn't tell my co-workers why I called off, especially if they work the same kind of rotations.

We had one scheduler that would schedule you 7p-7a on Saturday and rotate you back to days on Monday 7a-7p. Talk about brutal.

srercg · May 23, 2016

The answer is "no" - its not okay. You got off 0330 Sat. could have slept a while when you got home -Sat kids up at 6? or early -make arrangements when you know that's going to happen. Sat night - should have been free and clear for sleep - as well as Sunday night. There's really no reason why you should be calling in Monday - go in early - see if someone else can cover so you can leave early due to "stomach issue" if you still have it - but no - you can't call in and make someone else stay over, or not work at all.

cayenne06, MSN, CNM · May 23, 2016

I have to say, as a single mom with two special needs kids and a long history of working rotating shifts and 60-70+ hours a week... I am having a hard time understanding the problem with working till 3am Friday night and then coming to work at 7am on Monday. That seems totally reasonable, and if you were unable to sleep between those two shifts, then I agree that you need to get to the MD and figure out how to manage this problem going forward.

If you are truly unsafe to work, then of course call out. But the problem is clearly NOT the scheduling here-it is perfectly reasonable to expect an employee to be able to work that schedule. Heck, it would be reasonable to expect you to be there at 7am on Sunday, or even 7pm Sat night!

Nurse131382 · May 23, 2016

I didn't think I should get into my personal reasons for not being able to sleep. Plus I did say I was up sick due to something I ate. But thanks for the input.