Caught Sleeping on Night Shift

Was it accidental or on purpose? You might lose work but I don't think you will lose your license. They might be more forgiving if you accidentally nodded off at the desk, they wouldn't be as forgiving if you were caught sleeping in a bed. Does HH stand for home health?

5 hours ago, Forest2 said:

Was it accidental or on purpose? You might lose work but I don't think you will lose your license. They might be more forgiving if you accidentally nodded off at the desk, they wouldn't be as forgiving if you were caught sleeping in a bed. Does HH stand for home health?

Most likely accidental. I have seen people nod off more times then I can count. Many people have a hard time staying awake at a time that the body is naturally programmed to be up.

Reminds me of this one time I forgot to drink my Jolt Cola back in 1996 on NOC shift as a bed side sitter and my patient pulled our her IV at 3:17 in the morning. Judy , the RN , wasn't to happy with me. ?

I used to work in a large hospital in Boston. I was the manager for the front desk on patient care units, overseeing non-clinical staff.

I would often get reports from nurses about my overnight person falling asleep at the desk. One nurse even took a picture of one of my staff sleeping and passed it around to other nurses, making fun of this person.On a few occasions I would come in during the overnight shift to check on things and would frequently find at least one nurse asleep at her desk, using a folded up cotton blanket as a pillow. Obviously a planned “nap.”

i also found out that one of the nurses most vocal about my desk person falling asleep, would at times get into a bed in an empty patient room, under the covers, and have a good sleep!

You and your hospital leadership should review the evidence on providing rest to reduce errors and harm. Its abundantly clear that nurses on both shifts need at least a 15 minute rest period to do as they please, ideally close eyes and not be disturbed.

I didn’t have authority to fire nurses. I managed the non-clinical clerical staff.

My point was that I was struck by the double standard of the nurses.

When I worked nights for several years it seems we always had one or two staff that napped on their break. Some people were really offended by this for some reason. I never saw a problem with it, if a power nap on a break helps you get through the shift go ahead and do it. But that being said it sounds like this is a little different situation. If you were "caught" sleeping at a time you were expected to be working and can't legitimately claim you were on a break you can probably expect to lose your job. I wouldn't be too concerned about losing your license however. It would take a special set of circumstances ending with a negative outcome to lose a license over napping on the job.

On 7/6/2019 at 10:44 AM, Faster said:

I used to work in a large hospital in Boston. I was the manager for the front desk on patient care units, overseeing non-clinical staff.

I would often get reports from nurses about my overnight person falling asleep at the desk. One nurse even took a picture of one of my staff sleeping and passed it around to other nurses, making fun of this person.On a few occasions I would come in during the overnight shift to check on things and would frequently find at least one nurse asleep at her desk, using a folded up cotton blanket as a pillow. Obviously a planned “nap.”

i also found out that one of the nurses most vocal about my desk person falling asleep, would at times get into a bed in an empty patient room, under the covers, and have a good sleep!

A picture is worth a thousand words. I say what is fair is fair. Love to see a photo of a nurse asleep in bed when she is supposed to be working. LOL. I don't condone anyone sleeping on work time. Nurse or no nurse.

If it is my break then it is none of your business what I do,most have small children and need that power nap at break time during night shift.We always fought and held our ground to close the door and turn out the light during OUR BREAK.

That hospital administrator that harassed a nurses aide for sleeping in a wheelchair DURING her break should be hung by her nails.Im glad they always had the worst turnover.

You do not own us,my break is my break .