fell asleep, administrative leave

[allwell]

I just want to say, balance your life and take enough rest.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Looking back on all the organizations in which I have worked - in all cases, falling asleep on the job was 'cause for dismissal'.... no exceptions. I can only recall two instances in which it actually happened (that I was aware of). It is an extremely serious breach of professional duty - if you are that fatigued, there is no way you can safely care for your patient(s).

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I agree. If you cannot stay awake to care for your patients something has to give. We are human and can only do so much. It doesn't matter if it was one minute or one hour to them. I think you are facing termination, especially since it has almost been a week. Good luck to you.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

Same thing happened to me one when I was a Cna . I was immediately sent home and fired . I only had mybeyesbcloses for thirty seconds wasn't even asleep but I see how it is a safety issue .

[cardiacfreak, ADN]

I've worked night shift for 14 years, and sometimes I still get sleepy, but when I am really drowsy I know I need to get up and move. I will stock the med room, make me some coffee, or take a quick run up and down the stairs. The key is to get moving.

[Palliative Care, DNP]

Before I left in June on my floor I had turned in no less than 3 nurses for sleeping. One would even duck into empty patient rooms and sleep. I took a picture of her and sent it to the nurse manager. All of these nurses were still employed when I left. Apparently, it isn't a fire worthy offense everywhere

[klone, MSN, RN]

Where I used to work on L&D, the nurses would nap regularly. In fact, we had an official nap policy. As long as someone is keeping an eye on their patients and the person isn't napping instead of doing their duties, it was tacitly accepted.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

When I worked in assisted living, we had a 30-minute unpaid lunch. It was generally okay to nap on the night shift as long as you weren't on your clock.

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

It's a shame. Napping off the clock for night nurses is de rigueur in many developed countries. But god bless our puritan work ethic and how it's probably killing patients.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

Napping has been shown to have great benefits. But as dhg says, we'd prefer to kill patients (and ourselves driving home) because we're machines!!

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

This nurse wasn't on break from what I can tell. That's the problem. Napping on your break should be fine.

[Nursetastic]

It's common at my hospital to use one's 30 minute lunch break for a nap. As long as everyone knows exactly where you are going to be (locker room or break room) it is not a big deal. The buddy system makes sure you are awake 5 minutes before break ends so you don't come out all groggy. This is only acceptable with the approval of the charge nurse and is dependent on census and acuity. Otherwise, any sleepy folks are really good at getting up and helping with bed baths or supplies.