SOLOMON NEGASH

SOLOMON NEGASH

8 hours ago

SOLOMON NEGASH

 

RE: Discussion – Week 3

COLLAPSE

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Merit and demerits of 12-hour shift

 

This discussion focusses on the pros and cons of working 12-hours shift as a nurse in the United States. The nursing profession, especially in the last two decades, has been dedicated to working long hours ensuring their patients received the best and quality care possible (Battle & Temblett, 2018). Most healthcare facilities changed the traditional eight-hour shift to twelve-hour shift. Majority of nurses liked the idea of working three days per week and enjoying four days per week, however, some hospitals scheduled nurses to work eight hours every two weeks to meet the 80 hours per two weeks. The major effect of a long shift in nursing is fatigue and burnout. Fatigue-associated with impairment and burnout in the nursing profession and causes several damages in health safeties, individual safety, and societal level (Thompson, 2019).

Due to the flexibility, the twelve-hour shift is favorable by the nursing staffs (Battle & Temblett, 2018). According to Battle & Temblett (2018) study, the 12-hour shift has a positive contribution to staff satisfaction, retention, and recruitment strategy. Colduvell (2017) agrees that nurses enjoy working three days per week and minimize time on the road and enjoy four days off with family and friends.

Studies indicated that the extended shift has adverse effects on the well-being by affecting the circadian rhythms that control body temperature, blood pressure, and sleep patterns (Rheaume & Mullen, 2018). Disrupted sleep is associated with fatigue. The disadvantage of 12-hour shift includes constant exhaustion, emotional damage, and health risks (Colduvell, 2017). The increased risks of extended shift include anxiety, obesity, cardiovascular disease, depression, and cancer (Colduvell, 2017).

 

 

References

Battle, C., & Temblett, P. (2018). 12-Hour nursing shifts in critical care: A service evaluation. Journal of The Intensive Care Society19(3), 214–218. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1177/1751143717748094

Colduvell, K. (2017). The pros and cons to working only 3 days a week. Retrieved from https://nurse.org/articles/nurses-three-days-a-week/

Rheaume, A., & Mullen, J. (2018). The impact of long work hours and shift work on cognitive errors in nurses. Journal of Nursing Management26(1), 26–32. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1111/jonm.12513

Thompson, B. J. (2019). Does work-induced fatigue accumulate across three compressed 12 hour shifts in hospital nurses and aides? PLoS ONE14(2), 1–15. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0211715

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