Had an interesting situation that came up and thought I'd throw it out for discussion.
One of our staff RNs was found sitting in a chair and sleeping at the bedside of one of our ventilator patients at 7am. She tells me that the patient was very restless and they had been constantly watching him throughout the night shift because of the fear of him pulling his trach out. They found he would settle down when someone sat with him and held his hand (how basic can nursing care get?). So, periodically during the night different staff members sat at his bedside. The nurse in question says that at 5am she had caught up on all her charting and told her co-workers that she was going to sit down in the room with the patient. She sat down, took his hand and he immediately quieted down. She sat back and the next thing she knew someone was waking her and telling her it was 7am. She jumped up and worked on giving her 6am meds and ended up giving an oral report to the oncoming shift (we tape report).
A very serious decision has to be made here. This is a really excellent nurse and I'm afraid there will be no choice but to fire her and report her to the Board of Nursing. I understand that she did not intend to fall asleep and that she was helping the patient, but rules are rules, aren't they? How I wish this hadn't been reported. Our facility rules clearly state "no sleeping on the job". Our Human Resources Office and the Director of Nursing will make the final decision. What do you all think?
If she is truly an excellent nurse, she should be given another chance. Maybe probation or something? I fell asleep just after the job....I happened to be behind the wheel of a Volvo going 45 miles per hour, and I fortunately only had a concussion and bloody nose from hitting a telephone pole! I just as easily could have fallen asleep on the job, I was exhausted! We must protect our own and if she truly is not a repeat offender and a conscientious sort, give her a break and give her a chance to earn your trust again.
Some of the opinions on here aren't very promising. Of all the things nurses are accused of, sleeping is probably one of the most minor. I mean we are only human. Of course she wasn't caring for her patients, but did anyone look for her? I would have found a PCA or other staff member to do such a basic task. This one seems a bit odd, but the infraction is minor compared to others I've seen. :trout: Why is everyone about "fire" "fire" "fire".... how about construction? let's just all terminate each other.... I mean really calm down people she fell asleep in a very relaxing situation.
This is an old thread resurrected, and we just had a long thread with many angry exchanges about this same subject. Perhaps it's best to let it go at this point.
Specializes in jack of all trades, master of none.
Former night shifter here... Never fell asleep, but, I can't tell you how many times I fought the urge to do so, but I also worked a unit where we couldn't be in the restroom for more than 30 seconds without having a search party sent out...
I don't think she should be term'd, but definitely reprimanded... If it is a pattern, then I would consider the term...
Former night shifter here... Never fell asleep, but, I can't tell you how many times I fought the urge to do so, but I also worked a unit where we couldn't be in the restroom for more than 30 seconds without having a search party sent out...
I don't think she should be term'd, but definitely reprimanded... If it is a pattern, then I would consider the term...
or how bout giving the nurse the option to move to either day or evening shift; if that's not an option, then and only then, maybe cut ties
I'm not going to be popular here, but I think she needs to be canned. What if that was your family member in that bed? Would you want a sleeping nurse taking care of your family member? I sure the heck wouldn't. Besides, she is paid for working, not sleeping. I have been in her position and almost fallen asleep, but you don't put yourself in that position.
Well...I haven't read all of this very old thread, but I say...take away her birthday, make her work nights, and be forgiving...it only happened once and no harm was done. Realize the risk of sticking someone in a dark room for long periods of time and remember to either check on them often or rotate staff out...
lglnurse
9 Posts
If she is truly an excellent nurse, she should be given another chance. Maybe probation or something? I fell asleep just after the job....I happened to be behind the wheel of a Volvo going 45 miles per hour, and I fortunately only had a concussion and bloody nose from hitting a telephone pole! I just as easily could have fallen asleep on the job, I was exhausted! We must protect our own and if she truly is not a repeat offender and a conscientious sort, give her a break and give her a chance to earn your trust again.
Kim