Coworkers that SLEEP on the job....arrrggghh!!!

BroadwayRN, ASN, RN · Jan 16, 2009

That definately doesn't happen where I work, but some do play computer games for hours, or so Ive been told.

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jan 16, 2009

how about a report, anonymously, to the executive director?

nervousnurse, ASN · Jan 16, 2009

Yes, I am seriously considering a nice anonymous letter ....but again, will they REALLY do anything?

Maybe...? This one girl sleeps on and off throughout the shift, saying how she only got two hours of sleep that day............OH.MY.GOSH......switch to DAYS, for the love of all that's holy!!!!! :banghead:

ciber-1 · Jan 16, 2009

do not look to others be GOOD yourself.

caliotter3 · Jan 16, 2009

When that kind of behavior is intrenched and you know nothing has been done about it, the only choices you have are to deal with it or find an employer that does not allow sleeping on night shift. I share your views on the subject and have also worked in places where sleeping was condoned. Something amusing (?), a co-worker went to the DON and told her that the house supervisor was sleeping. The DON raided the facility one night, (all were warned by the snitch), and soon thereafter fired the house supervisor. Amusing that the person who told the DON about the supervisor, slept every night herself, for the entire shift, except for her med passes and she cheated on them too.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jan 16, 2009

I used to be a sitter at a hospital... My eyes were bone dry, so I closed them for a few seconds, however I was Fully alert and oriented times 3, my pt. was sleep and safe. The charge nurse came in, and so that my eyes was shut, I immediately opened them, she didn't have to call my name because I was fully awake. She told be to clock out and go home. So I guess it depends on where you work, at that hospital sleeping wasn't tolerated at all.

When I work at another hospital, I caught a nurse sleeping at the nursing station, I took a pic of her, and thought about showing it to her supervisor. But I didn't, but I did think about it :)

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jan 16, 2009

If there is a policy against this then the house sup or HR needs to be informed, assuming the dept director is aware. The ones who were chronic on my shift were the ones who tried to live a "normal" life during the day and then push through the night shift. Priorities out of order IMHO

barbyann · Jan 16, 2009

I make it quite clear to my co-workers that if a tragedy should ever happen, like a suicide, a code that is short staffed, a patient wanders out of the hospital, and I am asked by a lawyer to recount that night, that I will tell it like it is. "Nurse xyz was sleeping and not available to the pt. and staff". Sleeping on the job is neglect. We are being paid to monitor the unit, with all of our senses, while on the clock. Anything less than that is actionable. I then recount three stories I am aware of that involve pt deaths secondary to sleeping staff. Two did jail time. That usually sobers up the staff quick.

kcochrane · Jan 16, 2009

Our staff takes turn taking a break and gets a quick nap in. I think that is legimate since it is their break to do as they wish. And I don't have an issue when someone nods off now and then. But trying to get your sleep in during your shift is just not right. I find the problem comes that many think night shift is a way to sneak more hours in the day and they don't get the sleep then need during the day. The worst offender that has since moved on complained every shift about how the night shift was not natural and no one should be expected to stay awake...that is when she was awake. Of course you find out later that she is not sleeping during the day, but doing other things. Meanwhile those of use that were awake were working full time, going to school and taking care of family. Go figure. We had one other staff member that slept through one of our residents escaping.

I know the night shift is really not a good thing for some people. Some cannot sleep during the day. But then it is to their best interest to get off nights as soon as possible.

Pepperlady · Jan 16, 2009

It doesn't bother me if someone naps on their break at night, we get an hour and 45 minutes total, some group it together and take a longer break and nap, others, like me, take a couple of shorter breaks, but I may still doze off for it.

I don't see people dozing off at the desk and I think its because we take our breaks and refresh ourselves with a quick nap.

Of course the understanding is that if something comes in then we go and get them. Some staff go home for their breaks, seems no different to me than having a quick nap and not being available.

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jan 16, 2009

I'm thinking that if you know someone is sleeping on the job, and you don't do something about it, and something bad does happen to a patient, YOU might be held legally liable. I think I'd want to put it in writing and get it to the proper powers that be, if all else fails.