NOC nurses need sleep too!!!

[NurseQT]

Sorry I just have to vent once again about the lack of understanding regarding a NOC shift worker's sleep time! My husband just came and asked me if his cousin had gotten a hold of me, she apparently wants to know if I'll watch her 2 yr old while tomorrow while she is at a doctor's appointment. I'm in the middle of my 4 NOC stretch, which means her noon appointment is the middle of my "night"! My husband knows that I sleep or should I say try to sleep from about 8am-2:30pm while my kids are at school, it irritates me that he wouldn't inform his cousin right off the bat that I'll be sleeping than. I'm now left to feel like I'm obligated to say yes and sacrifice my sleep time. I hate that my sleep time is treated like nothing more than a nap by so many people! Even my DON is guilty of it, she schedules mandatory meetings at 1pm, I refused to go to the last one, until the day and PM shift nurses are expected to come in at 1 or 2 am for a meeting than I won't be waking up in the middle of my "night" to attend a meeting!

Ok, I'm done venting, gotta start getting ready for my shift!

[klone, MSN, RN]

OMGoodness, no. When I worked nights, EVERYONE knew that my days between shifts were absolutely sacred, and my husband was the guardian of the gate. I had a sign on the front door that read "night shift worker - do not ring doorbell, large dogs will bark at you" (I actually do have large dogs) and I turned the ringer off my phone.

Protect your sleep, and make your husband do the same!

[Biffbradford]

We even had mandatory staff meetings at 4pm. They lasted 2 hours. Our 12 hour night shift began at 7pm. For some of us it was an hour or more drive home. Do the math Ms Manager!

[Dranger]

Our meetings were either two hours after shift ended or two hours before they started. Pick your poison.

[Cutandstitch]

I've been places where they essentially have two staff meetings back to back to cover both shifts and then they don't have to do it multiple times throughout the week.

As far as sleep goes, I have never been able to unzombify myself enough to function in between overnights like that. I'd recommend a come-to-Jesus conversation with your husband so that it doesn't happen in the future. Familial obligations are important, but when they can potentially impact the lives of your patient it becomes more than just a scheduling, sleep, or marriage issue.

Good luck!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I would tell my husband..."Sure.... only if she doesn't mid taking care of ours at midnight tomorrow night."

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

tell your husband to make the call and maybe he will remember next time. You need to "train" people not to bother you during sleep time. Just do not be accessible and you do not have to be all that nice about it either. Like you said, would they offer to babysit at midnight or 2 a.m.?

[kiszi, RN]

I sure hope you said no. Seems like your cousin didn't plan very well, you have nothing to feel obligated about. If the appointment is a true last minute emergency she should take the kid with her.

"Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

Say no to her. Tell your husband to man up and say no to his sister about watching her kid for a MD appointment.

[Irish_Mist, BSN, RN]

Say no. You need and deserve your rest just as much as anyone else!

[Rn112389, BSN, RN]

That is seriously frustrating. People that dont work nights just don't get it. I've been working nights for 5 years and my body still has not adjusted completely and I don't expect it too. Certain things are left undone untill I have two days off in a row. and I absolutely hate when my manager books me one day on, one off, one on, one off, one on. I guess I vented a little too here :)

Im sure if you explain to her the situation she will understand. put your foot down!!

[Carrie RN]

Fire, flood, or blood. Those are the only reasons to be awake during the day when you work nights, tell your husband that.