4 hours between shifts

I hate to say it, but that is a recipe for disaster, for you and your patients. I know I have worked 3 - 11:30 pm and have had to turn around and come back for 8 hours at 6:30 am, and I'm good for nothing when I come home. Please talk to whoever schedules.

Kris

Where I work, 8 hours are mandatory between shifts or I'm not covered by insurance and risk being suspended if it's know by my nursing board... If I were you, I would try to know what's permitted by law in your state and by your employer... Good luck to you... and get some ZZZZ's!!! :zzzzz

That's terrible! I'd call in sick. Talk to whoever schedules and request that you not have a schedule like that again. You're practically living there.

It might be illegal, and it's definitely unsafe!

I would check with my BON and state Dept. of Labor about whether your employer can require this.

Remember, it's your license -- if you end up making a serious mistake because you were so exhausted, I guarantee you your employer is not going to step forward and say, "Oh, well, it's not really her (his) fault -- we insisted s/he work those awful hours; you should blame us." No, your employer will be the first in line to point the finger at YOU and blame YOU for the bad outcome, and "I was too tired" is not considered an adequate excuse/defense.

:yeahthat:

Not to mention the drive home after all that! :uhoh21:

If this is not an act of God emergency, I think federal law requires an 8 hour period between shifts. This is unsafe, both to you and to your patients. I would not place myself, my patients, or my license on the line like this.

It is an act of god-nurse went into labor preterm. I already told don I wouldn't do it again. Luckily I live 1 minute away by car. I figure I will sleep all day Monday, unplug phones etc. I usually won't work more than weekends and 1 day/week. I took a shift Mon. only because I would get Friday off. The nurse in question has been trying to get pregnant for 6 years. They have stopped the labor but at 26 weeks they want her on bed rest. In that situation I would want someone to help me

It is an act of god-nurse went into labor preterm. I already told don I wouldn't do it again. Luckily I live 1 minute away by car. I figure I will sleep all day Monday, unplug phones etc. I usually won't work more than weekends and 1 day/week. I took a shift Mon. only because I would get Friday off. The nurse in question has been trying to get pregnant for 6 years. They have stopped the labor but at 26 weeks they want her on bed rest. In that situation I would want someone to help me

Of course you would, and it is very kind-hearted of you to want to help her. But the thing is, it isn't her that you are helping, it's your work place, your employer. It is your employer who is responsible for providing SAFE and effective care for the institution which they own/manage. Not you; I strongly urge you to make sure that this is legal in your state, because you CAN be held responsible by your state board of nursing if it is not; take care and good luck.

I also don't think this qualifies as an "act of God"; it would fall more under illness of a staff member, and it is the employer's responsibility to cover this, not fellow staff members.

Remember in school???? The ethics class??? Working as an impaired nurse????

Being impaired can be caused not only alcohol and illicit drug use....it can also be caused by.........

--lack of sleep

--prescription medications

--illness

--extreme stress...

and if we go into work and we know that we are impaired in any way, we are opening ourselves to a huge lawsuit and possible/probable loss of our licenses (or at the very least, reprimand from the BON) if we are a part of a sentinel event. We need to stick up for ourselves!

Honestly, if the DON was so concerned, like you are about your fellow co-worker, then SHE should come in and fill in for a shift. That's part of her job description, too, the last time I checked. If there is absolutely no one else to cover (which I highly doubt) they can either call in agency or have another nurse from management come in and work at least an 8 hour shift. You might have to buckle down and just refuse to work such an unsafe schedule. Ultimately, it is up to the DON to make sure there is safe staffing, and if everyone refuses or can't do it, then it's her rear end on the line to make sure she comes in or has somebody else from management. DON's aren't exempt from patient care.