As a 10-year veteran night-shift nurse, I recognize the physiologic struggles, dangers, and frustration that result when nurses are drowsy while working ("Napping on the Night Shift: A Two-Hospital Implementation Project," May). Why, then, nearly 50 years after the benefits of night-shift napping were discovered, haven't nurse managers adopted this practice to reduce worker fatigue? Don't the benefits of napping, such as avoiding near misses, medication errors, and drowsy driving, outweigh the risks of not napping, such as foggy thinking and concerns about making errors? Employers are obligated under health and safety legislation to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and patients, yet little is being done to combat nurse fatigue.1 The first step toward implementing night-shift napping is to address the negative perceptions and concerns that nursing leadership has with supporting the practice.

Jessica Lynn, BSN, RN

Cypress, TX

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