Sleeping on the job.

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi everyone,

I'm actually posting this on behalf of my girlfriend who is a aide who was newly off her probationary 90-day period. She had just come off a week of 12 hour shifts and had one final shift to finish off when she dozed off while watching a sleeping patient. Her performance evaluation which had just occured was exemplary and her manager had recommended her for a high tier raise and then this incident occured. She was written up and is worried that the HR will terminate her immediately. It sounds like the manager is willing to give her another chance but she is terrified that HR will just terminate her.

Will HR normally terminate on a first write up under these circumstances? Or will the managers input and her prior performance also be taken into account?

Thanks so much!

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Specializes in Family Medicine, Tele/Cardiac, Camp.

Depends on the institution and on the people involved.

We had a similar situation occur at our hospital and I believe an aide was given a few days suspension and then told she could either switch to the day or evening shift or leave the hospital.

She took a decent cut in pay by having to switch to a different switch (not to mention some logistics with child care), but at least she was able to stay at the hospital.

I think the decision ultimately lies more with the manager than with HR. Good-luck.

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In all of my years of nursing that has been grounds for immediate termination

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Specializes in LTC.

A few years ago I worked as a sitter for an agency. I "rested" my eyes for a minute or two while my patient was sleeping. Guess what ? A nurse walked in and I was sent home immediately at 4am. It was a learning lesson for me. I vowed no NEVER take an overnight sitter case again. I know myself and my body. If your girlfriend gets a second chance she is REALLY lucky. In my case I was not.

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Yeah, she was fortunate that she didn't get a suspension. She was told that she would not be allowed overtime for a while untill she proved herself capable of handling it. However she was not taken off the schedule and was allowed to continue her 36 hours of regular schedule next week. I think that would indicate that most likely she wont be terminated, correct, since usually it would happen immediately? And she works in a level 1 trauma hospital.

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

Depends on the facility. If the policy is that someone is terminated if caught sleeping, than there is probably very little the manager will be able to do. Many facilities have a zero tolerance policy about sleeping on the job because it leaves the hospital open to liability if something would have happened for the patient.

One hospital I worked at would fire you on the spot if they caught someone sleeping.

I would also recommend that she start looking for another job just in case because if she is fired she will be denied unemployment benefits.

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Specializes in Family Medicine, Tele/Cardiac, Camp.

It seems like they're keeping an extra watch on her. Have her drink a ton of coffee and be super careful.

It might be one of those things where if she messes up again she's out of there, no question asked. Period.

Then again, the hospital may be so busy/understaffed that they really really need her and see this as something that can be overlooked.

I would also encourage her to ask the appropriate people where they stand on things as far as her performance is concerned. Some places have a process that's followed if someone messes up. For instance, verbal warning, written warning, termination. Sort of a three strikes you're out.

It might be good for her to know officially how closely she's being watched and whether or not there is any written information on her disciplinary process.

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The answer to your question lies with HR at her facility. Sleeping on the job means immediate termination in my hospital so stated in the employment handbook.

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Specializes in Geriatric/Sub Acute, Home Care.

Looking at her past working schedule I would think that a meeting would have to take place including your friend the and dept supervisors. Her dozing is because of the 12 hour shifts. If these people have ever experienced working shifts of this sort and NOT FELT VERY TIRED, they are not human. She should not be fired. If she is taking these shifts KNOWING she will fall asleep, she should NOT do this to herself anymore. I dont think she should be fired. Her schedule needs proper time for recuperation and rest.

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I have worked as a cna in the past. If I ever were to be caught sleeping on the job, it would have been immediate termination.

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Specializes in Emergency, Oncology, Leadership.

I agree with Snowshoe RN. The best option is for her to call her manager or HR and ask where they are with this. Being a manager myself, I can tell you that they will NEVER take this lightly and will look at all angles before making a decision. Most likely, this far out, I would think it was probably not going to be termination. Your friend should have access to the HR policy manual and the facility will most likely address this in the book. Most facilities I've seen say something like final written warning with actions up to and including termination. It is always difficult to wait for the results. Good luck.

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Specializes in Retired NICU.

My experience is that the person is immediately terminated.

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