Night Shifters: Do you sleep?

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I work on a med-surg floor on nights. I have seen almost every single nurse there hunched over and asleep at one time or another. Some even take blankets from the blanket warmer and get a little too cozy! Sometimes it's so slow that I can't really blame them. I also see their heads bobbing back and forth. So, just curious, do any of you fall asleep on the job? I'm still new so I'm afraid to, but man, some times I wish I did!

Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.

I never could stay awake when I worked nights. Around 4-5 in the morning was the worst time, i'd be sitting there and i'd just nod off for about five minutes.

The worst thing was that I'd get home and then I couldn't sleep!

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I never could stay awake when I worked nights. Around 4-5 in the morning was the worst time, i'd be sitting there and i'd just nod off for about five minutes.

The worst thing was that I'd get home and then I couldn't sleep!

Wouldn't it feel good to know some kind, caring soul was snapping pictures of you on their cell phone to run and show administration?

People like that really make me beam with pride for this profession.

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I worked a couple of nights ago and saw another nurse sleeping for 1.5 hours straight at the charting desk!

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Specializes in ortho/neuro/general surgery.
Wouldn't it feel good to know some kind, caring soul was snapping pictures of you on their cell phone to run and show administration?

If I snapped a picture of a coworker it would only be to tease 'em later with, and then delete.

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

I couldn't sleep at nightshift because I have sleep apnea and a) would feel worse when I woke up from my lunchtime nap, and b) the snoring would wake the entire floor.

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Never. But I've been working 7-7 for four years so I'm accustomed to being up all night. I only work 3 days a week and even on my four days off I'm up all night and sleep till two in the afternoon.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Orthopedics, Hospitalists.

At my facility, if you're caught sleeping, you can be fired. I've seen a few of the techs nod off occasionally, but they do that jerk awake thing and move along. One nurse fell asleep, and ended up fired because he didn't wake up even when the nursing supervisor was standing directly over him. :rolleyes: Honestly, I think it's pretty unprofessional to be sleeping on the job, you wouldn't see that on days! I always make sure to take some good caffiene or walk around when I'm working nights and am starting to "loose it."

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Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.

when i was going to school full time and working full time i would sleep on my lunch break.... set my Cell phone alarm and then go to work... thankfully it is to busy to wind down enought to sleep.

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