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 paediatric and trauma.

oh my god this is so sad sorry for your loss ali

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I am so very sorry. My heart goes out to you and your co-workers and her family and friends. How heartbreaking.

I worked as a full time night shift nurse for a year and a half after graduation. Usually got scheduled for three 12+ hour shifts in a row. Had an hour drive home. I'm pretty sure I almost fell asleep behind the wheel on the way home a couple times. Most likely after that 3rd night shift in a row. Quite a few times I ended up parking my car in the driveway completely crooked. As in, my parked car in our driveway looked like it had been parked by a drunk driver.

Eventually I got scared and starting sleeping in my car after my third night shift in a row was over. I'd make certain my little car was parked somewhere in the middle of the parking garage, away from the sun, and close to security cameras. I'd curl up in my back seat, fall asleep immediately, and allow my body to wake up on its own. Usually I'd wake up about 3 or 4 hours later, when the inside of the car felt about 100 degrees. But I was safe to make the hour drive home. I should be thankful I'm only 5'1" and can curl up and sleep in the back seat of a small car. I think it may have saved my life.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

I work straight nights, my drive home is about 30 minutes. It's not too bad. I don't usually feel exhausted when I leave work but then again, when I work my shifts, I stay on that routine, I sleep all day, don't schedule appointments for those days etc. Now when I get home, I am tired.

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Specializes in Intensive Care , Coronary care emergecy.

Hi Ali,

My thoughts and wishes are with you.

This is something that we all need to be conscious of, after doing to many nights and doubles ect.ect. I have heard of some very near misses, and accidents with nurses that have fallen asleep on the way home.

Please take care, nurses are too valuable to loose because of our work.

Gaffa

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Do you think this is acceptable. Why are we wroking these shifts. Lets all speak up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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How very sad.... sorry for your loss.

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

Closing this thread that is now over a year old.

Hopefully the OP and other co-workers have found encouragement and support through these posts.

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