Overnight Homecare CNA would like advice

[onedayago]

Well, for starters, I am not entirely sure I am in the right part of this forum...

but I more or less need advice. I am a CNA Overnight, and the recent issue i have had is my constant back/ neck/ various other body aches due to sleeping in my patients living room on a couch right outside of her bedroom; so, I bring up the idea of putting a bed in a room up stairs (which is also very, very close to her bedroom-- not to mention I have a baby monitor right next to my head as I sleep, just in case.) anyway, she freaks out at me, and proceeds to tell me she does not pay me to sleep up stairs, and I should be right outside of her room. Which... I can understand to some degree, but, wouldn't I be a better help if I were well rested other than the times she needs me throughout the night? My sleep is already very limited, why not make it comfortable?

I would appreciate opinions. As I am not sure how to feel about this one. On one hand I feel I should feel grateful I have a well paying job, but on the other hand, what exactly would this hurt?

Thank you very much in advance.

Just to add some information, My patient is a very competent healthy mature-in-the-age woman, other than her recent MS -- Diagnosed about 10 years ago.

[moonchild20002000]

Is she expecting to to stay awake all night? If not will she allow you to bring in a blow up

bed to use in the living room? Would be taken down in the am.

[caliotter3]

Bring firm pillows for support in the right places.

[CabanaDay]

I have done this type of work which I would term a Live-in Home Health Aide. Usually the Agency policy defines what is expected of the Aide working a 24-hour "live-in shift." The expectation is the Aide sleeps when the client sleeps.

I have read the manual at two Home Health Agencies and they both clearly outline requirements such as a separate room, private bath, 7 (or 8) hours uninterrupted sleep, place to store perishable food, etc. I would check with your supervisor if you are working that type of case and see what the policy states. The case manager is supposed to make sure all of these things are in place before writing a care plan for live-in aides.

On the flip side, most health care providers have policies that prohibit sleeping while on the job. This actually means no sleeping even when on break, not even in the breakroom. So I'm really concerned whether you should be sleeping at all as an "Overnight CNA." I've worked my share of cases when I arrived at 6:00 AM to relieve the "Overnight CNA" and had to shake her chair to wake her up and tell her it was time to go home. :)

For real world advice, if you like the client and like the pay and are allowed to sleep, say nothing and make the best of what you have. As soon as you complain to the office and they approach the client, she/they will find someone who will work the case and sleep on the couch.