Humiliated and scared

subee, MSN, CRNA · Mar 8

Overthamoon said:

I didn't expect so many people to reply to this. Thank you all so much for the support and kindness.

I finally got a resolution. I fortunately did not lose my job and only received a written warning. I did not receive any acknowledgement from the charge nurse. While this frustrates me I am choosing to just move forward. I will also not be using the "relaxation room" ever again. I am also prioritizing my sleep schedule much more than I ever have.

You have become a wise one:) Learning sleep hygiene takes time. There are multiple threads here on AN on how to cope with sleeping in the daytime so take a look at them. One thing I did was to put sunglasses on as soon as I got home in the morning and made sure there wasn't a single crack of light allowed into the bedroom. Good luck with your studies. Life will become so much easier for you after you graduate.

allnurses Guide · Mar 8

I consider myself the master of the 30 minute power nap. I also always have a small battery operated alarm to make sure I am up in 30.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Mar 9

Been there,done that said:

Sleeping on the job is always a no-no. However.. it's almost expected on night shift. WAY overkill for a nap. A CT scan.. come ON! Do not be humiliated or scared. Find yourself a day job.

And do it now, before they punish or fire you. Get a new job now.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 9

I'm happy to read that you've found some resolution to your situation. All the best.

KalipsoRed21, BSN, RN · Mar 11

hppygr8ful said:

You need an attorney. Don't talk to anyone at work about this. Admit to nothing. If your tests come back negative and you are terminated you may have a cause for action.

Excellent advice. Also I would ensure that all this testing they demanded would be billed to the hospital if it wasn't...you may not win, but all you needed to do was prove you weren't intoxicated in anyway. I would also ask the lawyer if you can sue them for mental anguish. Then I would quit this job, quit nursing, because my dear the bullying doesn't get better the longer you are in it. You just get meaner.

Suzie McCreary · Mar 13

Something very similar happened to me while I was in nursing school. I worked 12 hour shifts at the hospital from 3am to 3pm. As a CNA. It allowed me to have the days off that I needed for class or clinicals and to also have some evenings with my boys. One morning I was in such a good mood because I had aced my final and I could barely contain myself. So naturally I was very much enjoying the night shift staff, I always did, they are true angels. Anyway, my great mood spilled over into my day shift routine and I was really enjoying my patients and having an absolute blast cheering them up before they had to go down for open heart surgery. So someone went to my supervisor and told her that she believed I had been drinking. I was flabbergasted to say the least. I actually thought it was a joke, since we did play with each other a lot. So needless to say, not a joke. I had to give blood and they still warned me not to drive myself home. I drove straight to the police dept and requested a breathalyzer. Naturally they thought I was insane so I quickly explained and asked them to please document the results for me so that I could take them to my supervisor when I was allowed to return to work. I was off work for almost 2 weeks because it was forensic blood work. Needless to say, it came back squeaky clean and I was paid for all of the time that I was off work. The worst part was that I was never allowed to know who my accuser was, which led to mistrust for all of my fellow Co workers. I kept completely to myself after that. Spoke only when spoken to and as soon as I passed my boards I went to work for a different hospital. Do not let anyone steal your joy or dim your sparkle! You go girl!! Be a better nurse than all of those that you work with and completely leave them in your dust

mdsRN2005, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 15

vintagegal said:

You are a human. Period. And you are NEVER obligated to undergo such an ordeal. I would have just left, and retained counsel. NEVER let any employer hold you against your will and subject you to testing and treatment...

I oversaw employee testing in a previous job. Refusal to test is considered a failed test and will be treated accordingly. A negative test clears your name. However they are legally required to document rationale, which can then be subpoenaed. This rationale must include whether it's suspicious cause (vs random, post accident, pre hire, etc) AND specifically what symptoms justify suspicious cause. Also noteworthy, to perform a random drug screen there must be a facility policy regarding it and a schedule made in advance of who gets tested when (or at least X number from Y department on Z day). I point this out because a nurse I knew successfully sued his former employer for calling it random when they knew they couldn't justify a suspicious cause.

vintagegal, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Mar 15

mdsRN2005 said:

I oversaw employee testing in a previous job. Refusal to test is considered a failed test and will be treated accordingly. A negative test clears your name. However they are legally required to document rationale, which can then be subpoenaed. This rationale must include whether it's suspicious cause (vs random, post accident, pre hire, etc) AND specifically what symptoms justify suspicious cause. Also noteworthy, to perform a random drug screen there must be a facility policy regarding it and a schedule made in advance of who gets tested when (or at least X number from Y department on Z day). I point this out because a nurse I knew successfully sued his former employer for calling it random when they knew they couldn't justify a suspicious cause.

I would point out a conflict of interest.

DallasRN · Mar 17

Well, I guess you've learned a painful lesson. Don't go to a relaxation room and sit in a massage chair at the end of your shift. Or for me, it would be anytime. I would definitely konk out. But seriously, you've gotten some great advice from a bunch of seasoned healthcare providers. The best thing that happened was the drawing of blood and urine samples. That will clear you 100%. The CT? Hmmm...maybe ER doc suspected something neurological? Does seem they made Mt. Everest out of an ant hill but in today's world, it isn't surprising. While I fully understand the need for testing, etc., I do believe it could have been done with a bit more discretion. Or....are YOU feeling like it wasn't? When I've done something unwise (or downright dumb), I immediately believe it will be front-page news in The New York Times. Or on Times Square? Everybody knows, I'm sure!

Several years back when I was still working in the hospital, I went home one night after the 7A-7P shift with the narcotic keys in my pocket. I immediately called the house sup, told her I'd be right back (30 minute drive), and took off. Still in uniform. On arrival, she treated me like I had robbed the world of its heroin, alcohol, and other stuff supply. Hauled me to pharmacy, made a big to-do over having to make new narcotic keys...I knew everyone in pharmacy would be spreading the word. I was never tested, but practically begged to be and truthfully, should have been...hair, nail clippings, urine, blood, right arm...whatever. I'd give them anything! Let's do a colonoscopy! But no. Nothing. So, I marched straight into Admin the next AM to report her demeanor. Still begging to be tested for anything. Never got tested, but she got herself in a pickle. Accusing and trying to humiliate me but not following up with testing? Bad supervisor. I was more mad than anything, but I bet I was a whole bunch older than you, too. Hold your head up, go about your business, and realize these are the types you will encounter in nursing and elsewhere. Good luck in school!

JohnHood, BSN · Mar 19

vintagegal said:

You are a human. Period. And you are NEVER obligated to undergo such an ordeal. I would have just left, and retained counsel. NEVER let any employer hold you against your will and subject you to testing and treatment...

Yes, you can refuse to go to the ER and be tested. However most if not all hospitals can demand a drug test at any time. Refusal would almost guarantee termination. In Washinton if you refuse a drug test, you will be referred to the board of nursing. As a nursing supervisor, if you refused a drug test I would by policy be forced to suspend you, notify HR and your floor manager. Unfortunately, I've been forced to take these steps. I've also been involved with impaired staff. Patient safety trumps everything.

MarkMyWords · Mar 23

Sorry hearing about this. Terrible. I am not a nurse...however, I would start thinking about looking for a new job. Is there anything you are not telling us?

Long ago, I was a manager at a library and a new hire fell asleep in the day. Nothing happened, but I immediately decided he did not fit in and soon afterward he left on his own. My 2 cents...

chenrezigheart, BSN, RN · Mar 23

I have worked the night shift at inpatient mental health hospital that serves pts with acute/servere psychiatric problems often helping indigent and homeless population.

RNs and mental health techs often sleep at their desks and stations. Some go to a quiet area on the unit or in their cars. Some take more than 2 hour during shifts to sleep.
The house supervisors look the other way or others have stated it's fine to do. I was appalled by this being "okay" or "fine". Directors allow this. No disciplinary actions.

Falling asleep is absolutely a NO NO.

I have worked as a circulator and med/surg RN and have known two people fired for falling asleep on there shift. Even when there is downtime in the OR.

Make sure you be proactive about your situation and take all the recommendations and discipline as given.

If management or your directs you for drug/alcohol testing do not counter them, just do it. If you are positive for a test enter a program such as TPAPN as soon as possible and self report to the board

I am in TPAPN for over two years because I was reported for moving too slow or sleepy. I was asked to take a drug test. I told management and HR to do a drug test immediately. I told them I would be positive for THC, and resigned. I self reported to the BON and TPAPN.

Any reports such as sleeping on the job, risks to patient care, or drug use must be taken seriously not only for patient safety or loss of your license — regardless if you did anything. You must be proactive. View things as if your career is on the line.