12N Sleeping During Break

[MEDRQST]

I am a nurse manager in a HR dept. It has been reported to me that a nurse who was working 12N informed her CNAs that she was going to be in the facility break room for her 30 min lunch if they needed her. The ADON of the facility came in at 5AM (early for 12D shift) and saw the nurse with her head down on the break room table. Instead of approaching her she went to the nurse's station and in 10 min the nurse returned from the break room. Is this an acceptable practice since we deduct 30min for lunch or is this grounds for disciplinary action? The ADON was upset stating that she did not know how long she had been in there that night and then the DON started questioning "how long has she been sleeping on the job" - meaning the two months she has been employed. The DON has made statements that patients were neglected and that she should be discharged and reported to the nursing board. The nurse has told me that she saves her break until the later part of her shift so that she can get a burst of energy for the end of her shift job duties and the long drive home. The nurse feels that her break time is her personal time and she was still accessible to the staff and patients if the need arose ie instead of going to her car. The nurse had excellent references and has received numerous compliments from our day time staff. I feel I should recommend assigning her to straight day sfts to not lose a good employee but feel that others would want her to be discharged to set the example of no tolerance, but with her rebuttal of personal time I feel unsure of how to proceed. They have mentioned that it was an isolated incident that was poor professional judgement on her part, but to me it seems that she had thought out her actions and did not feel she was doing anything wrong so I wanted fellow night nurse's opinion of this or similar incidences. Thanks so much.

[Aquamarine]

I agree with somone else that some of the smoking breaks people take are more of a concern than somone taking a 30 min. break to close thier eyes and get energized when it is not time she is getting paid for. I used to take my break in the lunch room on the floor until I noticed it really isn't a break...now I go to the cafeteria to get a real break. Nurses work hard...what is closing your eyes got to do with anything?[she wasn't closing them while she was on the floor. She got compliments from outstanding work? good references? of course she should not be disciplined. I think anyone like that can use her own judgement as to how she spends her break time.

I work in a hospital, and for a private doctor.

The doctor doesn't deduct for a break...I rarely take a full break at his office...maybe a ten min. break. He gets us lunch everyday also. I never put down my full time...always skim a little to his benefit. What a difference working for someone that respects you, takes care of you and your family when you are sick, treats you respectfully. I don't want to work anywhere where I am not trusted and respected. If I did something not trustworthy ...maybe but that isn't my character. The girl probably didn't get a good nights rest...or wasn't feeling well...she didn't call in sick. I notice that mentality more in the hospital. My break is my time if I am not getting paid for it. I should be able to do whatever I want during that time.

why are smokers allowed smoke time and lunch time? It happens all the time. Or nurses that cover while someone goes out to get take-out food. I think it is a sad commentary that this nurse would even be considered to be disciplined. It is her time, she owns it, she is not getting paid for it. It isn't like she is doing anything to hurt the patients.

Let it go...as soon as possible.

quote=MEDRQST] I am a nurse manager in a HR dept. It has been reported to me that a nurse who was working 12N informed her CNAs that she was going to be in the facility break room for her 30 min lunch if they needed her. The ADON of the facility came in at 5AM (early for 12D shift) and saw the nurse with her head down on the break room table. Instead of approaching her she went to the nurse's station and in 10 min the nurse returned from the break room. Is this an acceptable practice since we deduct 30min for lunch or is this grounds for disciplinary action? The ADON was upset stating that she did not know how long she had been in there that night and then the DON started questioning "how long has she been sleeping on the job" - meaning the two months she has been employed. The DON has made statements that patients were neglected and that she should be discharged and reported to the nursing board. The nurse has told me that she saves her break until the later part of her shift so that she can get a burst of energy for the end of her shift job duties and the long drive home. The nurse feels that her break time is her personal time and she was still accessible to the staff and patients if the need arose ie instead of going to her car. The nurse had excellent references and has received numerous compliments from our day time staff. I feel I should recommend assigning her to straight day sfts to not lose a good employee but feel that others would want her to be discharged to set the example of no tolerance, but with her rebuttal of personal time I feel unsure of how to proceed. They have mentioned that it was an isolated incident that was poor professional judgement on her part, but to me it seems that she had thought out her actions and did not feel she was doing anything wrong so I wanted fellow night nurse's opinion of this or similar incidences. Thanks so much.

[RNin2007]

I work in a lockdown psych unit. The NOC shift gets an hour paid nap, AND their regularly scheduled 30 minute unpaid lunch. It's not uncommon to combine those into one nice nap. The unit I work in has great morale, and many of the RNs have worked there for 20-25+ years. That says something. No patients are neglected, on nights the unit is abnormally busy this wouldn't obviously work...but I think there is something to be said for respecting a person's need to take the nap if they need it. Especially if it's on THEIR unpaid time.

~J