Nurses go to school for years and take extensive tests to prove that they have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care. Their licenses are vulnerable after criminal convictions, allegations made by employers and even some complaints from their patients or coworkers.
Misconduct and gross negligence are among the top reasons that nurses may face disciplinary action that puts their licenses at risk. Gross negligence typically involves engaging in behavior that creates serious, preventable risk for others and that is the result of an intentional decision, not an oversight or mistake.
Are nurses at risk of gross negligence claims if they sleep while working?
Long shifts can cause fatigue
Although some nurses work standard 8-hour shifts, 12-hour shifts are common, especially at hospitals. Some professionals end up picking up extra hours due to an unexpectedly complicated patient case or another nurse calling in sick.
The longer professionals have been on the clock, the more fatigue may begin to affect their work capabilities. Resting briefly may seem reasonable, but sleeping when there is no one else available to monitor and support patients could lead to claims of professional negligence.
Especially if a nurse is unreachable while resting because they hide or put their work phone on silent, their decision to sleep while working could lead to complaints and poor patient outcomes. The circumstances surrounding a nurse falling asleep on the job can influence the likelihood of their employer or coworkers reporting the situation to the licensing board and the possibility of disciplinary action.
Nurses accused of negligence on the job often need help responding in a way that protects both their employment and their state licenses. Reviewing the situation that led to claims of negligence can help nurses take appropriate steps to protect their professional licenses.
