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

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UPDATE: Changes: New Log In Requirement

  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?

I have called in sick because of lack of sleep, one time. being a full time nursing student and working 50-55 hrs. finally got to me so bad i was actually sick to my stomach. I would have been a hazard to my patients

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Yes- never had to, but i wouldnt hesitate if i needed to. I personally need a decent nights sleep (a good, deep sleep of around 7 to 8 hours) to feel fresh, bright and ready to tackle the day. I have had nights where i get only a few hours, and i feel like crap. I don't feel safe going to work when Im not wide awake, paying attention, focused and ready. But that is just me.

Now of course I dont mean i have a crap nights sleep cos I've been out partying all night til 4am, then have to back up for a 7am morning shift... ;) i mean if my sleep is interrupted for whatever reason (which it will be in a few days when maintenance will be around in my block of units. During the day. When im back on night duty, trying to sleep. Ugggh!!)

parko

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, Rehab, ACU-Telemetry.

For those of us who work nights, we all know that we are ALWAYS tired. It is a known fact. Even on our days off, we seem to always be tired. So to answer this question, I would have to say "No, I wouldn't call in sick", because I seem to be tired 'all of the time' anyway. :uhoh21:

Kathy, Ohio

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Specializes in Orhto, med/surg.

Ahhhh.. the "sick" debate. I am reminded of how some people feel as though one should be close to death before calling in sick. We as nurses do not have a job where we can just "downshift" and take it easy that day because we are sick. Our patients set the tone of how busy our day will be. Therefore, if one has lost sleep the night before and feels as if they cannot function up to par then they should call in sick.

Let me point out to everyone that a "Sick day" can be for physical, mental or emotional illness. As long as one does not act irresponsibly and stay up too late, party too long, etc there is absolutely nothing wrong with calling in sick. And as long as one does not have a pattern of this sort of thing, what the big deal?

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I did this weekend. Yes, I called in. I am in school fulltime and I work 36 hours a week, every weekend. I felt that I was losing myself. I needed a mental weekend to just not go in to work.

I will pay for it, but I am now refreshed and able to go for some more distance.

I try to plan my time off, putting in to be off in advance every 6 to 8 weeks.

But this time, I just called in. Needed a mental weekend to just do nothing for nobody else but myself. And I did, and I feel better.

I come to realize that I can only be as good to my patients as I am good to myself. I am in a position that requires a lot of me and because I am a caring person, my patients and their family sometimes really seek me out even when I am not their nurse.

So, I took a mental weekend. Hopefully, I won't have to do this again until December, when I am scheduled to graduate.

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:monkeydance::monkeydance:

I did this weekend. Yes, I called in. I am in school fulltime and I work 36 hours a week, every weekend. I felt that I was losing myself. I needed a mental weekend to just not go in to work.

I will pay for it, but I am now refreshed and able to go for some more distance.

I try to plan my time off, putting in to be off in advance every 6 to 8 weeks.

But this time, I just called in. Needed a mental weekend to just do nothing for nobody else but myself. And I did, and I feel better.

I come to realize that I can only be as good to my patients as I am good to myself. I am in a position that requires a lot of me and because I am a caring person, my patients and their family sometimes really seek me out even when I am not their nurse.

So, I took a mental weekend. Hopefully, I won't have to do this again until December, when I am scheduled to graduate.

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.

I would only call in if I had less that 4 hours of sleep and had to go back in the next night/day.

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Specializes in ortho/neuro/general surgery.

I have called in a few times for lack of sleep. And there have been times when I should have and didn't. One was when my son had spent the weekend in the hospital with respiratory problems, and was sent home Sunday morning. It had been my weekend off, which was really good, but I had to go in Sunday night, and had barely slept for two days. I managed to snooze a teeny bit before my night shift, but I really don't think it was a good idea to go in. Besides, I really wanted to be home with him, even though he was breathing ok.

I have fallen asleep at the wheel more times than I can count. Somehow I haven't crashed

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I did this weekend. Yes, I called in. I am in school fulltime and I work 36 hours a week, every weekend. I felt that I was losing myself. I needed a mental weekend to just not go in to work.

I will pay for it, but I am now refreshed and able to go for some more distance.

I try to plan my time off, putting in to be off in advance every 6 to 8 weeks.

But this time, I just called in. Needed a mental weekend to just do nothing for nobody else but myself. And I did, and I feel better.

I come to realize that I can only be as good to my patients as I am good to myself. I am in a position that requires a lot of me and because I am a caring person, my patients and their family sometimes really seek me out even when I am not their nurse.

So, I took a mental weekend. Hopefully, I won't have to do this again until December, when I am scheduled to graduate.

Good for you...many need to follow suit. After 17 years of working the night shift, I see so many that don't realize that when they are sleep deprived, they are easily agitated and very unsafe. It's like the mentally ill person that says, "everybody else is crazy". So get some rest, call in if you haven't, because eventually your body will shut down anyway, if you don't heed now. The psych units and nursing homes are full of young to middle-aged nurses. Hardly anyone cares that you were a martyr. Be safe and take care of YOU

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We as nurses do not have a job where we can just "downshift" and take it easy that day because we are sick. Our patients set the tone of how busy our day will be. QUOTE]

precisely!! :)

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Yes i've called in sick, when i haven't slept enough:bugeyes:

I work on a forensic mental health unit, and feel that my own/collegues and patients saftey is at risk if im not on the ball!!!

I think its safer to stay off work than go in and make a mistake coz your tierd and irratible.:madface:

Dont think its right if you've been out partying all night, but if you cant sleep coz you've got stuff on your mind, its gonna bug you at work too. Better to take the day off and go back to work, refreshed and happier

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:nono: I tried coming to work without any sleep; thought I could make it thru on No-Doze. Actually, over-dosed myself with No-Doze and coffee causing tachycardia. Had to go to ER. Got flushed out and sent home. That was twenty odd years ago and the last time I tried it.

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