Fellow RN died this morning.

Published

My coworker (and friend, mother, grandmother) died this morning in a car crash, she fell asleep at the wheel after working a 12+ hour night shift.

I just wanted to tell other night nurses (that are prone to getting sleepy on the drive home) that it is NOT worth it, and I wanted to tell ALL nurses to hug your babies!

She will be greatly missed.

~Ali

Specializes in midwifery, NICU.
I know places that make it "illegal" to sleep even on your unpaid break!~ that's ridiculous.

Zoe, where I work certainly, the unpaid break thing is a bit of an urban legend. You know, one of these things thats spoken of, and exaggerated a little, but doesn't seem to happen!! :icon_roll

Even on break, in our own time, we are on call to come right back if needed. So sleep, its a big no I'm afraid!

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Specializes in Step-Down Vascular, Renal, ESRD.

This is truly a tragedy.

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I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences.

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Specializes in SICU.

I can definitely identify with this. Many a morning I found myself dozing off and running dangerously close into the back end of a few semi's on the interstate. Very scary indeed.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I've lost coworkers in the past; it's so sad. :o

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

I've always said nights should get double the pay and not do 12 hour shifts, and I haven't worked nights in years. I was sick all the time when I did, and basically had no life at all for 3 years. (Every other night a P).

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I am sorry for your loss--- so hard to lose a friend.

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Specializes in cardiac nursing.

Although I don´t know your fellow RN I sympathize with you in your grief.

I´ve often thought about the risks one takes going home after the nightshift, for me, often by bike but sometimes also by car. I have the advantage of living only 7 kilometers from the hospital in a rather small town (about 80'000 inhabitants). But nevertheless I have to deal with the morning traffic along the streets and I've noticed several times that I'm a danger to me and others because of my sleepiness (correct spelling?)

Again, I'm truly sorry for your loss.

Gunnar RN, Sweden

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This is the exact reason I will not work 12 hr shifts.

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Specializes in Med/surg.

Oh dear lord. What a tragedy. My God give you and the rest of her family members peace, and strength to carry on.

Najah

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Specializes in NICU.
:( I'm so so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you and her family.
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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I'm so sorry about your loss. Your friend will be in my prayers.

This really scares me. I just moved to New Jersey from Florida. While I was in Florida, I worked days. Now I work nights. I have been working nights for three weeks, and every single morning on my drive home (40 min commute), I have dozed off at the wheel. The last time I drove home from work, I fell asleep at every single red light. Needless to say, my boyfriend is very concerned about me and urged me to find a new job where I can work days. =(

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Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.

Very sorry to hear about the loss of a friend. :o

I know how scary it is to drive after night shift. There have been times when i honestly could not recall the drive home, i must have been in such a daze. This is the reason i cannot work night shift, i am unable to sleep during the day and cannot work or drive safely.

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