Remind me to never work as a Sitter 7p-7a AGAIN !

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Specializes in LTC.

Last night I had to work as a sitter at a hospital 7p-7a and it was pure torture ! I've done it many times before, but it has been awhile since I did this.

Its soooo hard to sit in a dark room, in a recliner, and just sit and stare at the walls. No TV, NO internet, and definetly NO SLEEPING...I did bring my books, but reading about genetics counseling will put me to sleep in a heart beat. I know the above are not acceptable and I never do those things( or else I wouldn't have that job), but its just so darn hard to stay awake for 12 hours, in the dark, with nothing you can do to help yourself get through the shift.

My patient was pretty easy, all I had to do was make sure he did not get OOB. From 2-6 I found myself fighting sleep and my eyes were drier than the sahara desert.

I will try my best to never work that shift again as a sitter. I rather be a tech working a floor.

And then I come home to try to sleep and I can't. I slept for a few hours, but I was right back up again. I feel like a zombie.

Well thanks for letting me vent, and please share your advice with how to stay awake during a sitter case. :banghead::banghead:

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I've never done it but I certainly feel for the CNAs that do it on our floor. I can't imagine sitting there for 12 hours. Most of them bring in their bills/personal work from home and pay their bills, write out checks, cut coupons. Other times they'll bring in their school work. Sometimes they'll bring their computer in and write a paper. Talk on their cell phones. ANYTHING to help keep them awake.

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I remember those days....ugh I would rather have an assignment any day over sitting. I only did it once on nights because it was unbearable. After a while I wanted to sleep so bad everything in the room started to shimmer and I swear I might have had a hallucination or two. Even during the day time sitting is hard. Everyone on the floor thinks you have it easy so no one wants to relieve you for breaks and no matter how well rested you are sitting in one spot for 12 hours would make anyone want to nod off.

I wonder why they don't rotate CNAs and allow each of them to do a few hours instead of an entire shift? :twocents:

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Specializes in LTC.

If I did what those CNAS do I wouldn't have a job there. I can't talk on my cell, or bring in a computer.

Well this is an agency job, I make my own schedule PRN. I can go months with out working. I just think for now on, I'll think twice before I work over night as a sitter. I think as a nurse I may like it, but I personally love the 3-11shift

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Specializes in LTC.
I remember those days....ugh I would rather have an assignment any day over sitting. I only did it once on nights because it was unbearable. After a while I wanted to sleep so bad everything in the room started to shimmer and I swear I might have had a hallucination or two. Even during the day time sitting is hard. Everyone on the floor thinks you have it easy so no one wants to relieve you for breaks and no matter how well rested you are sitting in one spot for 12 hours would make anyone want to nod off.

I wonder why they don't rotate CNAs and allow each of them to do a few hours instead of an entire shift? :twocents:

Oh my Gosh, I had MAJOR hallucinations last night ! I didn't want to admit it on here because I didn't want anyone to put me in a stray jacket or something. Anyway, it felt like the room was spining, I was seeing weird things, I even saw flames !

I feel like I'm killing my body ! I'm going against nature when my body want to sleep but I'm forcing my self to stay awake.

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Specializes in Pedi Rehab,Pediatrics, PICU.
I remember those days....ugh I would rather have an assignment any day over sitting. I only did it once on nights because it was unbearable. After a while I wanted to sleep so bad everything in the room started to shimmer and I swear I might have had a hallucination or two. Even during the day time sitting is hard. Everyone on the floor thinks you have it easy so no one wants to relieve you for breaks and no matter how well rested you are sitting in one spot for 12 hours would make anyone want to nod off.

I wonder why they don't rotate CNAs and allow each of them to do a few hours instead of an entire shift? :twocents:

Being ignored by staff is the absolute worst part of a sitter's job! It's as if you're expected to have an infinite bladder and a stomach that never empties! Even day shift is a nightmare, especially head-injuries...Rotation sounds like a really good idea. I couldn't imagine sitting on nigts, I'd be fired by 2 or 3 am!

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Specializes in Pediatric Heme/Onc/BMT.

Whenever my patient has a sitter, I try to check on them at least every 30-45 minutes. Besides the patient's condition, I want to make sure the sitter doesn't need anything (water, a snack, a break, to touch base with a fairly sane person, etc)

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

I hated sitting. It was so boring especially during the night.

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Specializes in MS, ED.

Wow, you aren't allowed to do *anything* while sitting?

I'm definitely a night person, but I'm not sure I could stay up, in the same spot, for the whole night with nothing to do!

If it were me, I would probably try to do some things I otherwise don't have time for, (organize bills, catch up on mail, read, make notes ahead, update never-ending to-do list, listen to one earphone of iPod lecture.) If I couldn't do anything...

I think my head would be spinning before nodding off to sleep.

Best,

Southern

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

Could you sneak in an MP3 player?

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

When I worked as a mental health tech and my assigned patient was asleep, I read magazines or books (I have a teeny book light)...We were allowed to trade off with each other.

As a nurse now, when I did work in the hospital I would offer to give breaks to the sitters so they could stretch their legs and get a bathroom break and a snack.

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I happen to love doing patient sitting jobs. You aren't overworked, don't have to deal with supervisors breathing down your back, fighting with residents to get dressed, etc etc.

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