Calling in for no sleep

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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?

Been there,done that said:
Hellz yeah! call in. When I am sleep deprived, I KNOW I cannot function. There is no magic "cure", no nursing dedication to overcome it. We are human beings that need the proper rest to perform.

The thing is, OP had 2 nights/days to adjust her sleep schedule - she didn't *have to* stay up/ not sleep. Does that change anything for you?

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Specializes in Med-surg, school nursing..

Side note: When someone calls in to my hospital they ask why, and you have to give them a reason (then they usually tell everyone on your floor why someone called in).

I did not know until I joined AN that it really was none of their business, I thought we were required to tell them.

Carry on!

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Specializes in PICU.

OP if you are not feeling well, just call in sick, it doesn't matter if you haven't slept, GI stuff, as long as you are not an abuser of the system, meaning are at risk for a write-up, use your time. This isn't about time management or anything, if you are not feeling well use your time. In most cases, the reason for the sick call out isn't as important. You could always say, I haven't slept well at all, I am having GI issues, not feeling well, i can't accurately take care of patients.

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nursel56 said:
My suggestion regarding her specific verbiage is also based on the notion that an employer will most likely seek more information as to the reason for the call-off. "I will not be in today because I haven't slept for more than 5 hours since Friday" is, my experience anyway, not as good as, "I have a headache and GI symptoms" (for example).

Employers cannot legally demand a reason for calling in. Employers and coworkers may find some reasons more sympathetic than others, but that's subjective and it can result in discrimination.

OP, I'm sorry about the GI trouble, but glad you took care of yourself. I personally cannot function with rapidly rotating shifts, so coupling lack of sleep with illness, it's 100% understandable that you wouldn't feel capable of safely working.

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RNNPICU said:
OP if you are not feeling well, just call in sick, it doesn't matter if you haven't slept, GI stuff, as long as you are not an abuser of the system, meaning are at risk for a write-up, use your time. This isn't about time management or anything, if you are not feeling well use your time. In most cases, the reason for the sick call out isn't as important. You could always say, I haven't slept well at all, I am having GI issues, not feeling well, I can't accurately take care of patients.

This. You don't feel well, regardless of reason. And you stated you've only called in once in 2 years. This doesn't sound like a pattern.

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TiffyRN said:
Several thoughts on this. . . .

*My employer made us take training on getting enough rest and how that was a safety issues. With no changes to the attendance policy.

*My coworkers do not pay attention to getting enough sleep for nights. They are not careless nurses. These are pretty much exclusively moms of kids who are not relieved of childcare responsibilities.

*My employer does not officially care why you are calling in to work, as long as you give sufficient notice (2hrs). You get 3 absences every 3 months before the disciplinary process starts. 6 or more and your manager has the option of terminating you. You don't get a free pass for days you didn't sleep well.

*On a related topic, quite a few years ago I was moving through the disciplinary process due to an exacerbation of my migraines. My immediate supervisor was really worried about me and didn't want to lose me so she directed me to intermittent FMLA leave. It's FMLA, but can be taken as needed for personal or family health needs. Usually with a limit of 12 weeks a year (depends). Those absences are federally protected leave. I am not subject to disciplinary process for absences when they are for migraines. Several of my coworkers have it and some are suspected of abusing it. Most of my coworkers don't even know I have it because I might only use it every few months. And I will call in as "sick" (not FMLA) when I'm not having a migraine.

*Would be interesting to know if a doctor would fill out FMLA paperwork for insomnia. I would qualify. I've been seeing a sleep specialist for about 3 years now though he's helped me enough that I almost always get 6-7 hours of sleep every day (or night).

How do you get those 6 or 7 precious hours of sleep? My sleep is messed up from years of Nights. I could use some help.

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Mom To 4, DNP-FNP said:
Personally, I am of the opinion that is no one's business why you are calling in. I also worked nights and it can take a lot out of you. I don't feel like we should have to explain why we can not get to work. The important part is that you provide adequate notice so that coverage for the shift may be found. I agree with others that nursing seems to have expectations that you will work no matter the conditions. Take care of yourself because the employer is not going to look out for you.

If you were the employer and had employees calling to say they would not be coming in today and they gave you no reason, and this happened routinely, would you like that or tolerate that?

I agree that the boss doesn't need to know every minute detail of their workers' lives, but I think some explanation of why you can't make it in to work when people are depending on you to be there is warranted. If for no other reason than job planning? You'll be out for surgery for a few weeks? Have a cast on and can't drive? Other extended leave issues? Or is it that you need today for a doc's appointment or tomorrow for kid's graduation or a "can't miss" wedding or what? I'm a huge advocate of privacy, but there is some employer "need to know" aspect of absenteeism, too.

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Hello, my name is Marcy and I live in Virginia. Yes, I believe that it is OK to call in due to lack of sleep for many reasons. Sleep is a major importance because it helps your body to restore itself and become better. It helps to keep a person healthy by the immune system restoring itself and making sure that it fights off any germs that come a person's way. Also, when you are sleepy on the job, the productivity can be low and negative things could happen. So, to answer the question, you can call in to your supervisor and tell them that you need a day for your body to rest so that the next time you work you will be in good shape. Good luck and if you cannot sleep, try meditating with soft music like the ocean or whale songs. That seems to always help me to sleep. Marcy

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Specializes in Critical Care, Float Pool Nursing.

Yes, its acceptable. You don't have to say why you are calling in however.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Float Pool Nursing.

To everyone saying that not enough sleep is an excuse, or that the OP is hurting her coworkers by calling out, or whatever else: It's none of her coworkers business why she is calling out. She could be calling out because she's having a bad hair day and it's still none of their business. Her PTO, her privilege. If she's still in compliant with the attendance policy, then it isn't any of her coworkers concern if she calls out for lack of sleep.

Truth.

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Mhays said:
Hello, my name is Marcy and I live in Virginia. Yes, I believe that it is OK to call in due to lack of sleep for many reasons. Sleep is a major importance because it helps your body to restore itself and become better. It helps to keep a person healthy by the immune system restoring itself and making sure that it fights off any germs that come a person's way. Also, when you are sleepy on the job, the productivity can be low and negative things could happen. So, to answer the question, you can call in to your supervisor and tell them that you need a day for your body to rest so that the next time you work you will be in good shape. Good luck and if you cannot sleep, try meditating with soft music like the ocean or whale songs. That seems to always help me to sleep. Marcy

She had 2 days.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Float Pool Nursing.
srercg said:
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.

She can call in for whatever reason she wants. As for "making someone else stay over," it isn't the OP's job to provide staffing coverage for absences. That job belongs to management. A lot of people in this thread need to get their thinking straightened out.

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