Sleeping at work

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I am a patient care tech in a hospital in Alabama. I work night shift and on Monday around 5.30am I slept off for a moment and the charge nurse saw me. She reported me to the manager and I was called off work for two days. On third day I was asked to meet them at HR. This is my first offence since I started working there in March. Will this be a warning or outright sack? I work too hard and I really like my job.

Am going to meet them in about three hours and I don't know what to expect. HR means sack right? They dont issue warning letter I HR? Should I implicate other of my co workers because they all sleep at night shift even if is for ten seconds.

HR means my defense doesn't matter anymore,, anything to remedy this situation.

Thank you all

Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
Cause she didn't have any duties dummy:no:

....Im assuming that the friendly tone that would make this humorous just didnt come through well in text?

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
....Im assuming that the friendly tone that would make this humorous just didnt come through well in text?

It came across as an attack on night shift charge nurses...then again, as you said, maybe the tone of the message got lost.

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Specializes in HIV.
...and smile for the masters.

I wish somebody would tell me to feel this way about my employer. I'll smile at you if I have reason to. Haha.

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Specializes in Hospital medicine; NP precepting; staff education.

When roused from accidentally nodding off say a quick, "Amen," as if you were just praying.

I'm kidding.

A long time ago when I worked nights we had a great team and sometimes I just needed a 15 minute power nap. I'd tell my secretary I'm going on a break, let me know when 15 minutes were up.

As my allotted time for breaks was a 30 then two 15s, it fell within my time.

Good luck to you, OP.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Wow getting fired is really harsh. Where I work we are allowed to sleep on our breaks. Best of luck OP.

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When roused from accidentally nodding off say a quick, "Amen," as if you were just praying.

I'm kidding.

A long time ago when I worked nights we had a great team and sometimes I just needed a 15 minute power nap. I'd tell my secretary I'm going on a break, let me know when 15 minutes were up.

As my allotted time for breaks was a 30 then two 15s, it fell within my time.

Good luck to you, OP.

OMG I know that was a joke but it is an amazing recovery! Not sure if it'll fly in the face of HR but how can anyone fight against a silent prayer? ;)

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....Im assuming that the friendly tone that would make this humorous just didnt come through well in text?

It did to me. I don't think anyone here would call another nurse a dummy, but I'll let the member speak for herself. Personally I saw the humor in it. But then again, I'm pretty relaxed and don't take the internet seriously.

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It's harsh. I feel like management made an example of you... and that charge nurse didn't care for you much. Sorry.

I think all night nurses have seen someone accidentally fall asleep at work. If I had a nickel for all the times staff went to nap on their break and forgot to set an alarm... well, I wouldn't have to be a nurse. Like Been there said, it's human.

Good luck in your next position.

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Specializes in Psych, HIV/AIDS.

Pardon my paranoia, but it sounds like the charge nurse (?and others?) had a target on your back. So sorry you were terminated and I hope you find another job that you like just as well, if not better.

I frequently was scheduled with a charge night nurse who always slept away the shift. Later, I learned that the supervisor caught her and fired her on the spot. With this particular nurse, it was the best thing for the unit and patients.

I like the "amen" response...don't you wonder what the charge nurse would have responded to that?? roflmao

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i've done this in fact a 1/3rd of us probably have at some point. Grab a couple warm blankets and lay your head on the desk and zone out/sleep for maybe 30mins-1hr. It happens because we are in a locked unit and secondly most of our staff is pretty laid back so no ones ratting you out. It happens when the unit is slow or everyone is vented and its the slow part of the night. Obviously if you are behind on your work or are taking care of someone very unstable then this doesn't happen and shouldn't. I guess our crew will answer each others pumps, hang another propofol for you, or answer a call light. Just depends on the unit dynamics and people you are with. Sorry this happened to you.

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You say it was a moment - I can tell you from experience having fallen asleep for a "moment" after work, making dinner, looking after my eight month old, and snuggling with my husband, I close my eyes for a "moment" around 10 and wake up in the morning.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
When roused from accidentally nodding off say a quick, "Amen," as if you were just praying.

:laugh: My dad used to do this when he would be caught falling asleep in church!

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