Sleep deprivation is much more dangerous than many of us may realize. Without a decent rest before coming to work, nurses risk making mistakes that can put a patient’s safety, as well as their own, at risk. The job of a nurse is to provide quality care for their patients. Getting enough sleep is essential to being able to carry out one’s nursing duties safely and effectively.
When a nurse is too tired on the job, he or she runs the risk of making care errors, including giving incorrect medications or administering incorrect doses. Lack of sleep can affect one’s ability to function. That’s why it’s so important for nurses working long shifts to get good rest once they’re home.
