I am a CNA currently in nursing school and just need some honest opinions and direction on my current situation. A couple days ago I was found sleeping at the end of my night shift. I had a headache and finished my round, at about 6:20 I told my coworker that I would be in the relaxation room for a few. Went in sat in the massage chair and next thing I know my co worker is waking me up saying it's shift change. It wasn't just shift change....it was 7:20. Instant panic. Charge told me to speak with her after report. She said that corporate would be calling me. I asked if she would speak with me in private so she called the house supervisor and we went in the break room. They said they thought that I was intoxicated. I immediately said I would be happy to submit to any test in order to disprove this. We go down to the ED where I was told I was twitching and my eyes were dilated by the doctor. While speaking with the doc I began to cry out of embarrassment of the whole thing. Everyone I spoke to said that I wasn't acting like myself even though I had never met this doctor or had any interaction with day shift charge and house supervisor. I provided 2 urine sample and had blood drawn twice. They also did a CT scan.
After all of this was completed they said I need to get a ride or call a taxi because they didn't want me to drive my vehicle. I put my foot down with this and would be driving myself home. They informed me the would have to notify the sheriff department that I was leaving in my car. About 10 min after getting home the sheriff stopped by and said he was just checking on me and left immediately. I'm waiting on the results of my tests that were sent to an outside lab. The labs will be 100% negative. I have never been this embarrassed and humiliated before, just typing out this post has me crying again. I know that I majorly screwed up by falling asleep, that is not OK. Period.
But I am mortified about how public this all was and I do not understand why I was accused of of inebriation. I don't know what to think or do currently right now. I'm scared of being fired and even more so that I destroyed my reputation completely. IDK I'm just looking for some insight and guidance and I'm seeking overall opinion on the situation.
Was this the only time? Oddly my hospital had the same thing happen - tech went AMA at night and found sleeping in massage chair - I don't know if they did a work up on her or not. However only a few weeks prior she put her head down on the desk, but a blanket over her head, and just went to sleep ignoring all her tasks.
I can see if it had happened more than once they might assume there is some root cause that they are trying to suss out.
Specializes in Employee Health Nurse/Vascular Access.
I am an Employee Health Nurse who is involved in doing Fit for Duties on employees. You were probably taken to the ED because Employee Health wasn't in at the time. But a CT? That's ridiculous. We draw blood if alcohol is suspected and a urine drug screen. If they come back negative, they should reimburse you for the time you were off. If not, find a new job.
it is a shame this happened, but I have also seen staff get brought right back if negative. If not, find a new job, it may just be the best thing you can do for yourself! Good Luck!
nursing school sounds so hard especially if you're doing night shifts, I think id be falling asleep aswell so I would not feel bad if they're working you to the bone and you're doing nights what do they expect
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
MissMollieMiss said:
nursing school sounds so hard especially if you're doing night shifts, I think id be falling asleep aswell so I would not feel bad if they're working you to the bone and you're doing nights what do they expect
Nursing is a job that requires you to be awake.While I agree that this situation was wildly out of proportion, one has to have a contingency plan if resting/napping during break. I am the master of the power nap but set an alarm on my phone.
If I were in this situation I would not be humiliated or scared I would be outraged. The falling asleep in the absense of any other symptoms of intoxication is not probable cause to assume one is intoxicated. I had a situation last year where I was nodding off at the desk. We have video surveillance so my DON saw this and called me to her office. She asked if I was feeling well and after a brief discussion she sent me home to "Get some rest," and I have a well documented history of alcoholism (sober for more tnan 20 years.
What H&S needs to do is consult an attorney and sue for defamation of character. Find A new Job and move on.
Nursing is a job that requires you to be awake.While I agree that this situation was wildly out of proportion, one has to have a contingency plan if resting/napping during break. I am the master of the power nap but set an alarm on my phone.
If I were in this situation I would not be humiliated or scared I would be outraged. The falling asleep in the absense of any other symptoms of intoxication is not probable cause to assume one is intoxicated. I had a situation last year where I was nodding off at the desk. We have video surveillance so my DON saw this and called me to her office. She asked if I was feeling well and after a brief discussion she sent me home to "Get some rest," and I have a well documented history of alcoholism (sober for more tnan 20 years.
What H&S needs to do is consult an attorney and sue for defamation of character. Find A new Job and move on.
Hppy
I don't know the details of this case but I question if the nurse should sue. She's have a harder time getting the next job for one. And secondly, if every hospital refused to drug test sleeping staff, they would be derelict if they didn't. She was forced to get drug tested. She won. Time to eat.
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...
What counsel? Op was found asleep. Immediate reason for dismissal.
Yeah, this is an extreme over-reaction on the hospital's part, and if you read these boards often enough you'll see that it's a red flag and not an innocent misunderstanding of the situation, or even standard procedure for them. They're either targeting you and have been waiting for a slip up or have decided to make an example of you. If you like the position, wait for everything to blow over—which it could—or strategize your exit with a lawyer.
Same exact thing happened to me at the end of my shift while working in the ICU (RN). When they were asking me absurd questions (if I was intoxicated, what medications I'm on, if I'm an IV drug user, etc) I voluntarily suggested to just get screened. They drew my blood alcohol, stated my level was at 0.325! I weigh 85-90lbs and I definitely wouldn't be coherent, able to walk, able to complete my 12.5hr shift, and would probably be a hot mess/close to being in a coma/blacked out. I requested to complete my urine drug screen (I hadn't used the restroom the entire shift and got taken off the floor at the end of shift doing my closing notes) and absolutely no specimens were labeled. They said I was positive for COCAINE! I've never done it in my life. I requested a retest, they said the test was accurate, made me speak with a social worker regarding addiction for cocaine and alcohol, then sent me on my way home once someone from the unit brought my belongings down. No paperwork other than rehab sources and let me just drive home. I got retested elsewhere and got all negative results. Only the alcohol test I couldn't get drawn without a requisition. I did my own home tests and recorded them (didn't show any of my goods) but through the whole process it is clear that nothing was tampered with. I also bought a breathalyzer within 50min of leaving work and showed a level of 0.00. I'm now in a situation where I know I'll be reported to the board and my wellbeing, career, and passion is now at a really high risk of being taken from me. I'm devastated. What happened with your situation?
Same exact thing happened to me at the end of my shift while working in the ICU (RN). When they were asking me absurd questions (if I was intoxicated, what medications I'm on, if I'm an IV drug user, etc) I voluntarily suggested to just get screened. They drew my blood alcohol, stated my level was at 0.325! I weigh 85-90lbs and I definitely wouldn't be coherent, able to walk, able to complete my 12.5hr shift, and would probably be a hot mess/close to being in a coma/blacked out. I requested to complete my urine drug screen (I hadn't used the restroom the entire shift and got taken off the floor at the end of shift doing my closing notes) and absolutely no specimens were labeled. They said I was positive for COCAINE! I've never done it in my life. I requested a retest, they said the test was accurate, made me speak with a social worker regarding addiction for cocaine and alcohol, then sent me on my way home once someone from the unit brought my belongings down. No paperwork other than rehab sources and let me just drive home. I got retested elsewhere and got all negative results. Only the alcohol test I couldn't get drawn without a requisition. I did my own home tests and recorded them (didn't show any of my goods) but through the whole process it is clear that nothing was tampered with. I also bought a breathalyzer within 50min of leaving work and showed a level of 0.00. I'm now in a situation where I know I'll be reported to the board and my wellbeing, career, and passion is now at a really high risk of being taken from me. I'm devastated. What happened with your situation?
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
subee said:
I don't know the details of this case but I question if the nurse should sue. She's have a harder time getting the next job for one. And secondly, if every hospital refused to drug test sleeping staff, they would be derelict if they didn't. She was forced to get drug tested. She won. Time to eat.
I do believe the OP would have been better off had they just submitted a UDS but that ship has sailed. The reason I suggested a lawsuit is not for being fired per se but for the drama and possible defamation of character. In my own case after a thankfully failed suicide attempt the hospital where I worked (and loved working) assured me that once I completed treatment I would be welcomed back with open arms. Well they lied and I was black-balled from their entire hosptal system I can't even walk into the hospital unless I am a patient. I ripped that "Scarlet Letter" off my chest and found a new nursing career that I have been at for over 20 years and am soon to retire.
I do believe the OP would have been better off had they just submitted a UDS but that ship has sailed. The reason I suggested a lawsuit is not for being fired per se but for the drama and possible defamation of character. In my own case after a thankfully failed suicide attempt the hospital where I worked (and loved working) assured me that once I completed treatment I would be welcomed back with open arms. Well they lied and I was black-balled from their entire hosptal system I can't even walk into the hospital unless I am a patient. I ripped that "Scarlet Letter" off my chest and found a new nursing career that I have been at for over 20 years and am soon to retire.
Hppy
That's messed up about that hospital where you worked. I'm sorry. I'm glad you found something else.
Mary R
9 Posts
Was this the only time? Oddly my hospital had the same thing happen - tech went AMA at night and found sleeping in massage chair - I don't know if they did a work up on her or not. However only a few weeks prior she put her head down on the desk, but a blanket over her head, and just went to sleep ignoring all her tasks.
I can see if it had happened more than once they might assume there is some root cause that they are trying to suss out.