Nodding off...

[jodyangel, RN]

Ok so a few months ago I was nodding while sitting with a group of nurses at 3am. I had no patient assignment at the time.

I work nightshift. Another employee .. Instead of tapping me, called the coordinator who then called me into her office and scolded me. Asked if I wanted to go home. No I do t want to go home...I'm so sorry!

so I'm more than upset that a fellow coworker would throw me under the bus. I figured out who it was and kept an eye on her.

A few weeks ago it apparently happened again. My head was nodding. The ANM called me into her office and said " don't Do that!! Be careful! If someone sees you they will report you and you could lose your job on the spot!" I was mortified and immediately went out and washed my face and made coffee.

So I come to work weds night and get pulled out of report to the NM office. The big boss is there and she reads me my termination letter. Then asks for my badge.

im beyond devastated. I moved 8 hrs from home for This job. I don't know a soul here and haven't felt a real part of the unit since I started. So here I am. In a house I've only lived in for 9 months so I can't just sell it and move on.

I know have been told that several secretary's and nurses have been found asleep and no ones been fired...just warned.

The secretary sits at the desk with her arms crossed. Several of the ST's have been found back in the empty OR totally asleep.

i feel very unjustly treated. IMO there is a huge difference between head nodding and laying out over the desk or hiding in patient rooms sleeping.

At this facility they also turn all the lights in the hallway and nurses station dim. Yeah crazy!

so this week I will arm myself with my argument and have a meeting with HR. This manager has been horrid to people and caused many to leave for other places.

am I way off base?

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

I think it's unfair if this was your first offense.

Since they apparently didnt fire anyone else on the spot for nodding off, I would've just flat out asked them if there was another reason.

And, out of curiosity, what were you doing without a pt assignment at 3am? How does that work?

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I am sorry, it may feel unfair but you should check your companies policy manual. My guess is sleeping on the job is an offence worthy of firing

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

And, out of curiosity, what were you doing without a pt assignment at 3am? How does that work?

The OP works in L&D where you may be sitting around waiting for pts to come in that are in labor. In the ER it is also common to not have an assignment at times during the night if we are near empty

[jodyangel, RN]

I understand that May be the "policy"... But then why is it not applied fairly. To all employees?

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

The OP works in L&D where you may be sitting around waiting for pts to come in that are in labor. In the ER it is also common to not have an assignment at times during the night if we are near empty

Ah, ok. That makes me even more puzzled as to why they would be so drastic. 3am with no patients, people might nod off a second.

OP, I wonder if you did something else that made your employer single you out for termination, and your nodding off was just the excuse they were waiting for. Perhaps something you didn't even realize you were doing? If that's the case they should have given you some feedback before things got to that point, so you woldve had a chance to rectify it.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

"Giving the appearance of sleeping" is documented as a fireable offense. ( in certain institutions, most likely.. yours)

Having been told that "other's " skated on this offense is not a excuse in YOUR case.

Someone wants you out. Before you go to HR think about who that was.

I think you are DONE there. One door closes.. another one opens.

Good luck, keep us posted.

[jodyangel, RN]

Oh I know I'm done there. But will still have my say. It's the right thing to do. People should all be treated equally.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I think it's unfair if this was your first offense.

?

This was the OPs 2nd time of dozing off. I don't know of many employers who would have been so forgiving after the first time. I think this employer done. Start looking elsewhere.. Perhaps working day shift would work better for you.

[Mn nurse 22]

I work nights and have always been worried about "nodding off". We are alliwed to sleep on our 1/2 hr unpaid lunch, which I do, but i have also asked all my coworkers to "wake me up" if they ever see me looking drowsy, I also take walks and try to keep my coworkers awake if they ever are looking tired.

That being said, I have turned in a coworker when she had a pillow and blanket and was obviously sleeping. I woke her up, asked if she wanted to go for a walk, but after a few minutes conversation she rolled over on the couch and went back to sleep. That is when it changed from an "oops" to deliberate sleeping.

[DoeRN]

Unless you have actual documented proof that other employees were sleeping then unfortunately you can't use that information. I worked nights for years and never nodded off but have tapped other coworkers who were. I never reported them just told them to wake up, drink water, coffee, do some work etc. Good luck to you and if you get another night shift job I suggest drinking lots of water if you feel yourself getting sleepy.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

[Biffbradford]

Sounds like a brutal atmosphere. One day the NM herself may be helped to find the door. Been there, seen THAT!