Humiliated and scared

Falling asleep at end of shift and accused of intoxication Nurses General Nursing

Published

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. 

Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
hppygr8ful said:

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

Well, if she wasn't fired from her job, wouldn't that mean that they knew it wasn't a drug issue?  I don't see how she was defamed except by her her own refusal to submit a UDS.  In a way, she defamed herself since a refusal is considered positive by administration.  

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
subee said:

Well, if she wasn't fired from her job, wouldn't that mean that they knew it wasn't a drug issue?  I don't see how she was defamed except by her her own refusal to submit a UDS.  In a way, she defamed herself since a refusal is considered positive by administration.  

I did do a UDS, 2 actually. Don't know where that got twisted.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, BH, LTC, Rehab, Detox.
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.

Agree. A CT scan is wild. Like what in the world! Yeh on night shift it seems that some people do fall asleep. Some jobs will put in their policy that it's an ultimate termination of your job. All depends. I personally had to work nights while in school and had two kids. I worked Friday - Sunday nights and had class during the week. I never did fall asleep though. But it can catch up with you though. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU.

If your hospital has a union, I'd recommend reaching out to them. Alternatively, consider just getting a new grad position elsewhere. A hostile work environment like this is not where I would want to start as a new nurse. Although you have to take responsibility for your actions, this is out of line. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Put in your 2 weeks notice and do not work night shift.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU | Critical Care | CCRN.

WOW. 

Just few thoughts and Qs and it's more for you and you're piece of mind...

1) has anything of this ever happened before?

2) as far as you know, what do your coworkers feel about your ability to perform you're duties?

3) has patient care been compromised?

Fact that every ame back negative and that sheriff came out to you for a wellness check, is positive for you as documentation .... Now start looking for an attorney who wants to make $$ from hospital and help you pay off your RN School .

 

Hope it works out for the best. 

 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
JzK CCRN said:

WOW. 

Just few thoughts and Qs and it's more for you and you're piece of mind...

1) has anything of this ever happened before?

2) as far as you know, what do your coworkers feel about your ability to perform you're duties?

3) has patient care been compromised?

Fact that every ame back negative and that sheriff came out to you for a wellness check, is positive for you as documentation .... Now start looking for an attorney who wants to make $$ from hospital and help you pay off your RN School .

 

Hope it works out for the best. 

 

I don't understand this.  How could she sue if she suffered no harm?  They didn't fire her, they didn't transfer her.  I think getting to keep your job after falling asleep is a pretty good outcome.  You can't have a tort until you suffer harm.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU | Critical Care | CCRN.
subee said:

I don't understand this.  How could she sue if she suffered no harm?  They didn't fire her, they didn't transfer her.  I think getting to keep your job after falling asleep is a pretty good outcome.  You can't have a tort until you suffer harm.

-----------------

Possibly - harassment?

If she was written up and/or suspended for crashing out - I can see that being the punishment. But based on her recount of the events, it seems like harassment - there maybe a case, if it can be proven, or may not be. I don't know. 

Besides, one can sue anyone for anything - few $, stamp from a clerk, etc. However, whether there's a case or not, that's something that an attorney has to review. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The OP did not get a CT scan because her employer demanded it d/t her falling asleep at work.

S/he got a CT scan due to the assessment by the EP. That has been my belief/suspicion all along. Since this thread is still ongoing with people still posting about how outrageous it all was, I've gone back and re-read the OP and the OP him/herself states as much as what I am saying: they were told of abnormal assessment findings the EP. No one's getting a CT solely because an employer feels like harassing someone; it doesn't work that way [when I worked in ED we've told everyone from concerned parents, nasty employers, schools, LEOs  and everyone in-between "no" quite a number of times, when they think they know best about what needs to be ordered in the ED. We even nope out on things written in warrants from time to time]. ED provider is quite capable of making their own decisions and don't appreciate outside "help" telling them what needs to be ordered. 

The OP wrote of being informed of abnormal physical exam findings and ended up getting a CT. THAT is something a provider would order when intoxication doesn't apply and/or doesn't explain the findings or when a relevant medical cause needs to be ruled out. Diabolical reasons for irradiating someone unnecessarily are significantly less likely.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
Kooky Korky said:

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

The original poster was neither punished nor fired.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
JzK CCRN said:

-----------------

Possibly - harassment?

If she was written up and/or suspended for crashing out - I can see that being the punishment. But based on her recount of the events, it seems like harassment - there maybe a case, if it can be proven, or may not be. I don't know. 

Besides, one can sue anyone for anything - few $, stamp from a clerk, etc. However, whether there's a case or not, that's something that an attorney has to review. 

How was she harrassed?  She was't punished and she was allowed to keep her job.  SHE is the one who fell asleep.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical care.

It's typical nursing cultures..a bunch of witches who will burn or attempt to at the stake. Good for you driving yourself home. The entire thing is insanity. If you stay in nursing expect more & more of this mentality. You are human & fell asleep. The horror. I'd tell em to jam it. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment