Night nurse sound asleep!

[maryen]

I had something happen for the first time and would like to know if I am overreacting and suggestions on how to proceed. When I arrived for am shift, the clients front door was locked. I knocked a few times and the night shift nurse answered the door and let me in. My knocking had clearly woken her up, she was groggy and asked me what time it was. I told her 7a and she stated no it is 6:30a. I showed her the time on my phone and she said her alarm had not gone off. The clients room was in disarray and none of the duties were completed- empty suction canister, dirty linens etc... She did complete the tasks and left. I was so taken aback that I did not say anything to her. I feel like I want to confront her but she is not very good at getting along with co- workers. Is this something I should report to the RN case supervisor? Or should I discuss it with her myself?

Not sure how to best proceed and would love to know what you would do.

[SE_BSN_RN, BSN]

Also, do the parents know she is sleeping? Did they approve of her doing that? They might, and you just don't know it. Be careful not to jump to conclusions that may lead to unwanted problems....I don't know about her, but I do PDN night shift and there is no way I would sleep, even if family said it was ok.....

[CloudySue]

I've had three families tell me I could nap a bit if I ever needed to, and they wouldn't mind. That being said, it was after I'd been with them for a long while and they were very comfortable w my capabilities. I wouldn't do it though, I don't think my brain would let me if I tried. It makes me feel better though to know if I ever slipped up I wouldn't awaken to a horrible scene with me being let go at 3am. I fear that more than anything because I care about doing a great job, and I don't understand people who just don't seem to have that pride in their own work.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I disagree with the blanket statement that the agencies and management don't care if a nurse is sleeping and not doing her job. We're not paying nurses to sleep, we're paying them to nurse. If it got back to the state, they wouldn't reimburse for the child's shift because the child wasn't receiving nursing care if the nurse was sleeping. On the private duty side of my agency, this is grounds for immediate termination and action IS taken as soon as we find out about it.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Both of my agencies have made it clear that not only is this grounds for immediate termination and a mandated report to BoN for patient abandonment And they have followed through.

[blackvans1234]

You see men doing this type of thing all the time. (I'm a man)

A friend of mine works for a cleaning company and he cleans a preschool 5 nights a week, for 4 hours / night.

He finishes in 2.5 hours and will just hang around reading, one time he said he slept in his car.

He also takes the half used toilet paper rolls.

You also see men put things on the bottom of their shopping cart and ''forget'' that it's there when they get rung out.

(my father is notorious for this one)

I believe in honor and integrity... oh well..

[maryen]

Ok- Thank you for all your responses; especially those whom mentioned that is might be "ok" for night nurses to nap and that all parties involved are aware if it. It is not a Pedi case and the Pt lives with extended family. When I came on shift today I was able to speak with family member about it. He said that yes, night nurses are allowed to nap if they feel comfortable doing so but that she should have been awake at 7a when I came and the door unlocked. He then offered to give me a key so that I could let myself in if it happens again! Of course I thanked him but refused the key. He said that he will talk to her about it.

So- I am just going to see how it goes with her and if it happens again. I will be finding out soon how nights are on this case, as I will be filling in some night shifts over the holidays. I can guarantee you I will not sleep :)

[PerfectlyPlump, ADN, RN]

Lying and cheating is not a sex linked trait.

In my book, it is a whole separate problem.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

I would talk to the nurse. They many not be aware they're falling asleep. If it happens again, talk to the parents. If it keeps happening, talk to your supervisor.

[Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B]

You see men doing this type of thing all the time. (I'm a man)

A friend of mine works for a cleaning company and he cleans a preschool 5 nights a week, for 4 hours / night.

He finishes in 2.5 hours and will just hang around reading, one time he said he slept in his car.

He also takes the half used toilet paper rolls.

You also see men put things on the bottom of their shopping cart and ''forget'' that it's there when they get rung out.

(my father is notorious for this one)

I believe in honor and integrity... oh well..

I don't even know what to say. This is by far the worst and most baseless male bashing I have seen in quite some time. The post also has nothing to with the topic of the nurse (gender not determined) sleeping on the job. Which by the way is vile. OPs options are limited the didn't see the nurse asleep, so any report would be reporting a suspicion, and most likely be turned around by the other nurse, who will accuse OP of lateral violence.

[caddywompus]

I agree with the above comment. Men already get abused in the media (think commercials where men are slapped, insulted,degraded,etc) and it is considered acceptable. To me, and I'm a woman, it is atrocious. There is NOTHING male about slacking on the job. Some of the best nurses I've worked with have been male.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

I would ask for another case. This just puts more work on you. It's not fair. I would also be looking for another agency. Nine times out of ten they allow this.

[PerfectlyPlump, ADN, RN]

I am always aware that I fell asleep. Never on duty, LOL. Adrenalin,and staying away from recliners prevent that.