What to do with CNAs that sleep during the night shift?

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I'm a newer LPN who was recently switched to the 11 to 7 shift. The last time I worked, a couple of the CNAs fell asleep around the nurses' station. They told me that they don't do it on purpose, but that it's hard to stay awake on a shift where there is more down time than other shifts.

Now I know how hard it is to stay awake overnight, but I don't think it's ok for staff to sleep while on duty. I've seen other CNAs bring in books, knitting, or puzzles to do in order to keep themselves busy so that they stay up. However, I was told by other midnight nurses that, technically, staff shouldn't be bringing in books, etc., to keep themselves busy because the staff shouldn't be "distracted" by these activities when they are supposed to be watching for call lights, changing residents, or whatever. Plus, I'm told that even on their 30-minute break, they can't go somewhere to sleep. (But they can leave the facility.) So what do you nurses do about this? What is your facility's policy about sleeping and bringing in things to keep staff awake? Sending the aid home? Suspension? Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in onc, M/S, hospice, nursing informatics.

We had an aide who kept falling asleep, but every time I would confront her she would say she was taking a break. Finally one night she was heard snoring through the bathroom door when the day shift charge nurse came in. She then called the nursing supervisor, and a few days later the aide was fired. Luckily the manager had plenty of documentation of my complaints about sleeping on the job, so it wasn't hard to make it final.

When we get to the point of having nothing to do, we try to find things... like stock shelves, fix up IV start kits, clean up, or other busy work. However, if someone wants to bring homework or go online for a while, I don't have a problem with that. As long as work is getting done.

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

Well, we just had this discussion at our management get together. We allow staff to sleep on their break. They must sign out with the charge nurse and turn their pager over to another RN or CNA who is going to relieve them. They are allowed a 45 minute break. If they don't come back after 45 minutes, the charge nurse goes to find them and wake them up. If they don't comply with this rule or they continue to follow up, the event is documented and forwarded to the manager so that the formal disciplinary process can start.

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Specializes in LTC.

If you can't bring in stuff to keep you awake how are you going to stay awake??

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If you can't bring in stuff to keep you awake how are you going to stay awake??

to be an efficient night shifter, you most alter your sleep patterns....and if you can do so, walking around usually helps. Making sure your blood sugar doesnt drop helps also....

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If they continue to do this take a picture and slide it under the Nursing Directors door. LOL.. Problem solved..

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its just not cnas failing asleep its the nurse on duty and supervisors too. so come on dont just point fingers at cnas! no matter what title you are people do get tired

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some facilities dont pay employers for lunch so therefore they have to punch out. if im tired on my lunch break, im taking a nap. THEY ARE NOT PAYING ME,SO THEY CAMT TELL ME WHAT TO DO ON MY TIME OFF THE CLOCK!

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Specializes in chemical dependency detox/psych.

If I (I'm the charge RN) ever caught anyone sleeping on my shift, I'd have their butt hauled in to the DON's office so fast, their head would spin. When I had to pull a double PM/noc shift unexpectedly (I work swing PM/noc), I walked the halls, drank caffeinated beverages, and ate a snack to stay awake. You do not sleep and get paid for it. However, if all work is completed and it's really slow, I have no problem with someone bringing in homework/reading/etc. to keep themselves awake. Things happen quickly, and it's one thing to throw down your book and go and help someone, but another to have to wake up and be instantly be able to cope with a crisis.

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Fire them. That's been the policy anywhere I've ever worked (granted, I've never worked in LTC).

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Specializes in A myriad of specialties.
if you can't bring in stuff to keep you awake how are you going to stay awake??

you stay awake by properly preparing for the shift with adequate amounts of sleep. treat it like a day shift and set your alarm an hour or so before you need to be at work or at least allow enough time that you're 10-15 mins early incase of weather or road hazards. also, find things to do to keep busy. there is always something that can be done.

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I am in agreement that nobody can tell you what you can and can't do when you are not being paid - so long as we were clocked out and found with eyes closed we were fine.

I had to find a nurse supervisor on someone who would continually fall asleep during the noc shift and would tell me they were on "break". Supervisor didn't back me up that time. Then another couple of nurses also complained about her "breaks" and she switched to day shift. In my opinion it was grounds for dismissal considering she was pulling the same trick every night. Unfortunately she also ran round telling everyone I was racist.

If the behavior continues I would report it, but also get an observer in so it isn't just your word against theirs.

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