CNAs sleeping on the job... What can I do as a new nurse?

wondern, ASN · May 21, 2018

Oh my that is ridiculous! You are in quite a pickle!

Maybe you could offer them warm blankets, hoping they'll just sleep on through to day shift when the manger comes in. Maybe serve them of your new tasty chamomile tea first. Shut off all the lights once they're asleep. Bring in a 70's soft rock love songs CD to play quietly. :coffee:

Sounds terrible, like you've been picking up their slack for quite a while. Is there somewhere else you can work?

It's touchy enough to deal with when you haven't worked in the same position alongside someone much less when you have.

The last non-nurse manager I had would have most likely called me in to her office and said, "Hey B, Did you confront the care partner last night?" ..."Yes. I tried to wake him or her for help with so and so." .."Well I need you to sign this PIC saying you confronted them." What a crock of you know! Just get out. If they haven't done anything about the lack of care yet they probably could give a care, as long as some one else is killing themselves constantly picking up the other's slack. How rude and inconsiderate, not to mention, firable offense most likely, if only there was actual follow through on that BS.

Guest219794 · May 21, 2018

If you didn't want to work for a place that tolerates sleeping on the job, why did you accept the position?

I could be wrong, but I think there are few instances in which a new nurse single handedly changed a work place culture.

Neats, BSN · May 21, 2018

congratulation on your new RN.

Just my thoughts about this...

You have been a NA-C for 2 years there and grumbled with the rest of the NA-C's this means they view you as one of them who jumped ship and became one of us. It is nothing personal just human nature.

You can do 2 things

1. Keep letting them treat you like a NA-C with special privileges

or

2. Step up and tell them you have a greater degree of responsibility now and here is what I expect of you...then let them know no sleeping, work hard take lunch and your breaks, let me know when there is something amiss, and I will be assigning tasks for you all to complete. I truly believe will try your patience just like a 3 year old.

Before you do this I would run it through your DON who should come in and let you say what you need to say while she has your back. This way it is transparent, your Administrator should be included to. This leads for a clear pathway for your new role as supervisor and allows you to succeed not fail. If they say no then I would look for another job.

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · May 21, 2018

Well... Good luck OP.

If this has been going on for many years it is likely already a known issue that no one is willing to address. The hospital I was at before had nurses sleeping on the job and did nothing. I am all for taking a quick 15 minute nap on your break if you really feel like you are struggling, but I shouldn't cover your patient for hours while you sleep your shift away.

Just make sure this is something you are willing to risk losing your job over. Have a back up plan in case it happens.

artsmom, BSN, LPN · May 21, 2018

I don't believe that is true. I work in home health but the CNA's are under my license.

Have Nurse, ADN, RN · May 21, 2018

Why has it taken you two years to complain about this and want to do something aboutvit? If it bothers you this much, it should have been addressed much sooner. If you address it now, it MAY come across that you think you are better than your coworkers now that you're a nurse. I've seen it happen. And why take a job at a facility where you know this is going to be an issue?

What makes you think that she has waited 2 years? Because she was a C.N.A. herself, and felt helpless to do anything about it without some kind of retaliation from her peers?

She's in a position now to try to fix it.

I agree that they should be written up and reported not only the the Director, but to the Admin as well if nothing is done.

Sleeping on the job is never acceptable, and in most facilities, ground for termination.

She's reaching out for some advice, not criticism. If the outcome shows that her former peers are having issue with it, it's on them.

Medic_Murse, BSN, RN, EMT-P · May 21, 2018

If you didn't want to work for a place that tolerates sleeping on the job, why did you accept the position?
I could be wrong, but I think there are few instances in which a new nurse single handedly changed a work place culture.

Ah, a status quo guy! Hey, people sleeping on the job? F it...let 'em! Who cares about patients, right?!?

Seriously though, I don't her work environment and everything that is said is subjective, but I can only base it on what is said. From what is said, would you allow your family to be in that facility? It also sounds like you accept a workplace that permits dangerous acts. Can a "new nurse" change an entire environment? No, but there may be other nurses there that feel the same, but were too afraid to say something because, "That's just how it is," which you imply.

Sometimes, changing a job isn't that simple. There are places where people don't live in big cities and have limited opportunities. Regardless, with what was said, a single "new nurse" may not change the culture of the facility, but as stated by americannursetoday.com, there are things nurses are looking for in quality improvement...

identifying targets for improvement
developing and implementing plans for change
measuring and monitoring the effects of interventions
celebrating success
maintaining efforts to ensure continued success.

The OP is in the first steps of trying to rectify that problem. As a new nurse, she will definitely face a lot of challenges and get a lot of brick walls. But, if what she says is happening and she believes that things need to change, then step up, grow a pair and say something. Otherwise, if you're going to tell someone they have no say, no matter their experience, you might as well be sleeping on the job.

Edit: Forgot the link.

Guest219794 · May 21, 2018

I don't believe that is true. I work in home health but the CNA's are under my license.

What does that mean? How big is your license, and how many people does it cover?

I hear this a lot, but have never seen anything other than nursing lore to support it. Do you have any links or document that can explain the people working under your license?

Also- I work in an ER. Lets say there are 8 nurses and 2 CNAs- how do we know whose license any of the CNAs are working under.

cyc0sys · May 21, 2018

I've worked in 3 different LTC/Rehabs in 5 years. I've yet to work in one that was properly staffed with competent nurses and aides alike. There's a lot of sleeping on the job, skipped treatments, Pts double brief-ed and soaked thru the draw sheet. Profits very much drive the train. Pt care is the caboose.

Never the less, when it is your shift, it is your circus and they are your monkeys. I'd be more concerned about my pride than my license. These are the people you're going to run a Code with right?

You bought the ticket. It's time to take the ride.

springchick1, ADN, RN · May 21, 2018

What makes you think that she has waited 2 years? Because she was a C.N.A. herself, and felt helpless to do anything about it without some kind of retaliation from her peers?
She's in a position now to try to fix it.

She's ALWAYS been in a position to fix it. She chose not to. You think there won't be retaliation now that she's a nurse? Seems to me it will be worse now that she's in a different role than if she had reported it as a CNA.

Guest219794 · May 22, 2018

Ah, a status quo guy! Hey, people sleeping on the job? F it...let 'em! Who cares about patients, right?!?
Seriously though, I don't her work environment and everything that is said is subjective, but I can only base it on what is said. From what is said, would you allow your family to be in that facility? It also sounds like you accept a workplace that permits dangerous acts. Can a "new nurse" change an entire environment? No, but there may be other nurses there that feel the same, but were too afraid to say something because, "That's just how it is," which you imply.
Sometimes, changing a job isn't that simple. There are places where people don't live in big cities and have limited opportunities. Regardless, with what was said, a single "new nurse" may not change the culture of the facility, but as stated by americannursetoday.com, there are things nurses are looking for in quality improvement...
identifying targets for improvement
developing and implementing plans for change
measuring and monitoring the effects of interventions
celebrating success
maintaining efforts to ensure continued success.
The OP is in the first steps of trying to rectify that problem. As a new nurse, she will definitely face a lot of challenges and get a lot of brick walls. But, if what she says is happening and she believes that things need to change, then step up, grow a pair and say something. Otherwise, if you're going to tell someone they have no say, no matter their experience, you might as well be sleeping on the job.
Edit: Forgot the link.

I am pretty sure my co workers and bosses would get a good chuckle out of the idea that I am a status quo guy. I see a lot of problems where I work, and do what I can to change what I can. But, I also see it a bit like the serenity prayer-

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can,

And wisdom to know the difference."

I manage it on my own, and don't bring God into it, but you get the idea.

My point that Jobs are kind of like relationships. Going into a relationship knowing you partner has flaws you can't live with, with the plan of fixing those flaws has caused many a divorce.

But, if you do want to change things, you need to build up some capital. I have years in my facility, and can get people to listen to me.

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · May 22, 2018

This is problematic because it has gone on for so long.

You've been complicit with this behavior for years. For this reason I think its fair that you warn the sleeping beauties that you're not gonna let it slide any more.

Don't just blindside them with write ups. Make sure they all know that you will be changing the standard. Then write up PRN.