Re: Advice would be Nice!!!!!

What time is she getting her sleeping pill and what kind is it? If she's out with family for the day, she should sleep fine for a few hours without a sleeping pill, then let her have it around 10 or 11. That way she should hopefully sleep better throughout the night.

It's been my experience that 2nd shift nurses pass out HS meds, including sleeping pills WAY too early for their own convenience. They justify it by saying HS = Hour of Sleep so since they're going to bed at 7 or whenever, that's when they should get their sleeping pill. In actuality, it's just too much bother to go back and give them their HS meds around 10 or 11. Nurses like to get their med passes done as quickly as possible, often at the expense of the noc shift/the residents.

Find out what time she's getting her sleeping pill and discuss it with your noc nurse. Perhaps she can talk to the evening nurse and get her sleeping pill changed to a later time. Do as much documentation as you're allowed on the flow chart about her and keeping voicing your concerns for her safety to the nursing staff, including your DON.