Would you call in because you didn't get any sleep?

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  1. Would you call in sick because you didn't get any sleep?

    • 106
      Never, I'd go on in
    • 252
      Might or might not
    • 148
      Probably would
    • 231
      I have before and would again. Too risky not to.

250 members have participated

I was trying to sleep the other day and somebody rang my doorbell at 1130 just as I was gettting there :angryfire. Made me so mad I couldn't go back to sleep for a L O N G time. I called in sick because I wouldn't go to work on no sleep. Turns out I finally DID go to sleep so I called back & said I'd come in if they needed me.

So I got curious: Have you called in sick (or would you) because you hadn't gotten any sleep (after trying, of course) by the time you're required to call in for your shift?

Specializes in nursery, L and D.

I have a coworker that was in a MVA after working 12 hours and staying over for a meeting. She broke 2 cervical vertebrae. Nuff said. You need sleep.

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It would depend on the circumstances, such as personal problems as well as not getting enough sleep. If I was distracted due to personal problems and lack of ENOUGH sleep sur I would call in. otherwise I would go in as long as I had 4 to 6 hours of sleep. I usually work nights 12h shifts, therefore if I can get to REM sleep or deep sleep I do ok with 4 -5 hours, but if I do not get to REM or deep sleep I need 6 hours minium to function.

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Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.

Yeah, not trying to start a shift war, but there's a BIG difference bewtween...let's say a part time 3-11 worker getting 3 hours of night sleep and coming in next day at 1500 and a FT 1900-0730 worker getting 3 hours of day sleep before returning that night at 1900 for their 3rd or 4th night in a row.

All special circumstances not withstanding, the shift and amt of hours worked per week (in any capacity) have to be taken into account before you make the judgement call of whether or not it's warrented or excusable or whatever.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/PACU/Emerg/ICU.
I was trying to sleep the other day and somebody rang my doorbell at 1130 just as I was gettting there :angryfire. Made me so mad I couldn't go back to sleep for a L O N G time. I called in sick because I wouldn't go to work on no sleep. Turns out I finally DID go to sleep so I called back & said I'd come in if they needed me.

So I got curious: Have you called in sick (or would you) because you hadn't gotten any sleep (after trying, of course) by the time you're required to call in for your shift?

No, I would not call in sick. Where I work it is often difficult to find a replacement nurse. I would tough it out .The shift is only eight hours long ,and if I keep busy it will go by in a flash.;)

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Care.inc, would your answer be any different if you had worked a 12 hour shift and had a 12 hour shift ahead of you?

Just curious.

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Specializes in ITU/Emergency.

As a bit of an insomniac, if I called in sick whenever I didn't sleep, I wouldn't work very much.Hmmm,now theres an idea:lol2: ! Oh, and, I work 12 hour shifts!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I haven't called in sick due to lack of sleep. However, nothing would stop me from possibly doing this in the future. After all, I am not loyal enough to my workplace to arrive at work in a sorry state of mind (not rested).

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geri, Ortho, Telemetry, Psych.

Only if the reason I didn't get any sleep is because I'm working too much, like a bunch of back to back doubles.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/PACU/Emerg/ICU.
Care.inc, would your answer be any different if you had worked a 12 hour shift and had a 12 hour shift ahead of you?

Just curious.

Yes! and I am not trying to be sanctimonious here. My night shifts are 12s. and I take care of my sister's son he is 12 yrs old. ten years of doing this thing makes you always think of others first. I also work with some very understanding people. Have had to do three nights in a row.even worked a night and a day shift right after.Studying also forces some of us to be wired this way. And we perform just as well , even better. If you are not of this type of functioning person dont try it! It can be dangerous to you and your patients;)

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Specializes in pacu, icu, med aesthetics, massause.

If I am truely sleep deprived it is like driving drunk, not only are you compromising patient care but you may be risking getting to and home from work. I worked in PACU were we had to take call many nights and turn around and report for our scheduled shift, there where many times I did make it through the day but getting home was difficult. Family and my well being comes first -- we eventually went to our supervisors and yes call was not eliminated but if we were called out the night before we were the first to go home as soon as possible even if it ment calling in a PRN staff to replace us. Studies have shown driving under the influence and sleep deprivation is the same, so I don't know why this can't be applied to our work atmosphere, we would get fired for showing up to work impaired so sleep deprived should not be different---truely sleep deprived not just I'm tired or want a day off.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/PACU/Emerg/ICU.

Hey Shellek! seems as You have been missing out on a lot of sleep? I did say, if you are not wired this way, DON'T, DON'T ,DON'T .AND I SAY DON'T ,TRY IT:monkeydance: .

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When our sons were growing up, there was a sign on our door also: Do not ring this bell, do not knock. There were arrangements made with each of the two grandmothers for "emergency calls" from schools, and also with my husband at work. If I was needed, they knew how to reach me. The phone was muffled and "muttered" - it did not Ring. I consider 3 1/2 hours to 4 hours a minimum for myself. By this I was able to work nights and attend college days to move upward from an LVN to an RN/ADN to an RN/BSN. There are times I am tired, and surely could do with more sleep, but I also know that part of my strength is meeting my obligations to self and others!

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