Sleeping during nightshift!!

Nurses General Nursing

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This is not my first night shift position and I am shocked at how many people at this hospital sleep during their shift. I'm not talking about nodding off for a couple minutes either. They are slumped over in chair, head on the desk drooling all over themselves (at the nurses station!). Their little slumber lasts 1-2 hours, some even sneak off and sleep in their vehicles for this amount time. During this time almost everybody is busy, and even busier because they're pick up their slack.

I have mentioned this to several of the CN's, and don't get much of a response. It just some how seems accepted?!? This just can't be normal?

It's so frustrating, I run my butt off and barely manage to get breaks, eat while chart etc... and there they are: snoozing in the corner.

Please tell me this is far from the norm where you work!

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

And no, sleeping is not acceptable at work. But you're not technically at work. You. Are. On. A. Break.

During.Your.Shift.On.The.Job.On.Facility.Property.Where.Rules.May.Apply.

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Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.
During.Your.Shift.On.The.Job.On.Facility.Property.Where.Rules.May.Apply.

Hilarious.

Show me the rules where the BON or ADN (or whomever) can dictate what an employee does on his/her break.

We are not superheros. We are LEGALLY entitled to a 30 minute break (plus one or two 15 minute breaks). We are not paid for these breaks. If a nap makes someone feel refreshed, then so be it. If (leaving the unit for) a cup of coffee does that, cool. If you need a few cigarettes (which is a pet peeve of mine, but whatever), then go ahead. If you need a snack wrap from McDonalds to boost your sugar and your protein, chow down.

No one is saying "Well, if it's slow, there's nothing wrong with napping for a few hours". No one is saying "I have to work nights, so my employer owes me nappy time!". We are saying that this is a legally entitled, in most cases unpaid break which we are technically off the clock and have passed on report to a competant RN.

NO ONE should be expected to be a martyr. EVERYONE should be expected to perform their duties competantly while "on the clock". NO ONE should be policed during their time (and yes, it is their time! Not the employers). What is so hard to grasp about this concept?

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ER docs sleep every night at our one doc ER, and if there is a code coming in, they wake him up. What's the difference? I'll tell you what, nurses are supposed to have a martyr syndrome and be handmaidens of mercy, always sacrificing their last ounce of life blood for their pts, family, and anyone else who needs them.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
Hilarious.

Show me the rules where the BON or ADN (or whomever) can dictate what an employee does on his/her break.

We are not superheros. We are LEGALLY entitled to a 30 minute break (plus one or two 15 minute breaks). We are not paid for these breaks. If a nap makes someone feel refreshed, then so be it. If (leaving the unit for) a cup of coffee does that, cool. If you need a few cigarettes (which is a pet peeve of mine, but whatever), then go ahead. If you need a snack wrap from McDonalds to boost your sugar and your protein, chow down.

No one is saying "Well, if it's slow, there's nothing wrong with napping for a few hours". No one is saying "I have to work nights, so my employer owes me nappy time!". We are saying that this is a legally entitled, in most cases unpaid break which we are technically off the clock and have passed on report to a competant RN.

NO ONE should be expected to be a martyr. EVERYONE should be expected to perform their duties competantly while "on the clock". NO ONE should be policed during their time (and yes, it is their time! Not the employers). What is so hard to grasp about this concept?

The fact that i simply disagree with your position (reasons why are listed in prior threads), therefore i do not/will not grasp. Has nothing to do with BON rules, superheroes, or martyrs.

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Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.
The fact that i simply disagree with your position, therefore i do not/will not grasp. Has nothing to do with BON rules, superheroes, or martyrs.

Then who's rules are they?

And what's the difference (as far as Pt care goes) from putting your head down in the back and going to the in house deli for a cup of coffee and sandwich and out for a smoke. Honest question, because I see no significant difference, other than the ones i've mentioned in my previous 2 posts.

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Specializes in Lie detection.
er docs sleep every night at our one doc er, and if there is a code coming in, they wake him up. what's the difference? i'll tell you what, nurses are supposed to have a martyr syndrome and be handmaidens of mercy, always sacrificing their last ounce of life blood for their pts, family, and anyone else who needs them.

oooohh you said it and thank you! at the hospital affiliated w/my homecare, they have nice little rooms and beds for the docs. so when the doc has to do 16 hrs it's ok for nappy time but not a nurse?? give me a break, pardon the pun!!!

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Specializes in Lie detection.
hilarious.

show me the rules where the bon or adn (or whomever) can dictate what an employee does on his/her break.

we are not superheros. we are legally entitled to a 30 minute break (plus one or two 15 minute breaks). we are not paid for these breaks. if a nap makes someone feel refreshed, then so be it. if (leaving the unit for) a cup of coffee does that, cool. if you need a few cigarettes (which is a pet peeve of mine, but whatever), then go ahead. if you need a snack wrap from mcdonalds to boost your sugar and your protein, chow down.

no one is saying "well, if it's slow, there's nothing wrong with napping for a few hours". no one is saying "i have to work nights, so my employer owes me nappy time!". we are saying that this is a legally entitled, in most cases unpaid break which we are technically off the clock and have passed on report to a competant rn.

no one should be expected to be a martyr. everyone should be expected to perform their duties competantly while "on the clock". no one should be policed during their time (and yes, it is their time! not the employers). what is so hard to grasp about this concept?

yes, kell, agree,agree, and agree again.. and another thing.. why does it really bother people so much what other people do on their break? i don't give a hoot what anyone does on their break, just give me report and go!

[color=#483d8b]are all these responses from noc nurses???

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Are all these responses from NOC nurses???

Saw that coming...

I have worked 12 hour nursing night shifts, for OR and ER.

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"This is not my first night shift position and I am shocked at how many people at this hospital sleep during their shift. I'm not talking about nodding off for a couple minutes either. They are slumped over in chair, head on the desk drooling all over themselves (at the nurses station!). Their little slumber lasts 1-2 hours, some even sneak off and sleep in their vehicles for this amount time. During this time almost everybody is busy, and even busier because they're pick up their slack."

The OP was NOT about anyone sleeping on their lunch break but sleeping at the nurses station for one to two hours. BIG difference! I don't care what you do on your break. But when you are getting paid I expect you to be awake and working. Not sleeping, not taking personal calls, not flirting with the resident etc......

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Ditto what Cynjon posted. I have followed this thread and noticed people have been getting their panties/shorts in a twist over break time vs on the job time. What it boils down to as far as I am concerned is taking care of the pt. Yes, there is a difference between what is negligence per a Nursing Board (NC as stated by some) and what is an employer-employee matter. What I choose to do to make certain that my pts are cared for during my time on the clock is my business. There is no justice in me suffering repercussions b/c somebody else gets paid to sleep most of the time. If I want to take care of my pts I will do so, and no one better tell me otherwise just b/c peer pressure rules. I do not go to the boss to tattle. I only tell the truth if I am confronted. For the record, I have only described in short terms flagrant pt neglect, not 5 min here or there or a simple comm glitch. We all can see the slackers, that's what we have eyes for. If I have to take up the slack for their pts, I do so, as quietly as possible, but I remember. I have never been commended by any supvr for sleeping on noc shift but I can say that I have seen those that do sleep for a living protected by the inaction of supvrs. Morale busting for anyone.

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I'm at work and had a lovely 50 minute nap on my break, relieved by the house supervisor. I awoke, as usual, on the dot, and returned to immediately assist my GI bleed to the BSC. I feel refreshed.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

I've never saw anyone blantly sleeping during the 12 years I worked nights. They would have been fired for sure. Once I feel asleep while using the bathroom. About 30 minutes later they came looking for me. I was embarrased but I did feel better for the remainder of the shift. I finally had to quit nights because it was ruining my health.

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