Nurses have a satisfying job,
treating patients and contributing in saving lives. They are caregivers to
sickly patients who are unable to do things on their own, as they lie in their
bed in a hospital. Whereas doctors may sometimes come across as very direct and
perhaps rude in trying to be efficient, nurses are there to provide tender love
and compassion to patients who are stuck in a dire situation. By performing
medical diagnosis on patients, nurses are able to determine the root cause of
an illness and administer the proper medication to alleviate the pain.
However, all of these amazing
qualities come at a price. While it is very fulfilling to help patients, many
nurses in the country have to work extra long hours and, even worse, work day
and night shifts. Working double shifts is very straining on the mind and body.
There are several studies that show how overworking can lead to adverse
physiological and psychological effects that have a negative impact on a
nurse’s performance, putting the patient’s safety at risk. We have compiled a
list of five common complaints from nurses who have to frequently work two
shifts a day. While an emergency can strike at any moment, it is very difficult
to expect a limited number of nurses to oversee every single situation.
1. Occupational Burnout
Nobody wants to be
a corporate slave. Working very long hours every day on a consistent basis is
very draining on the mind and body. Such adverse effects can have negative long
term repercussions and should be avoided at all costs. Many would not associate
a nursing career with that of a corporate slave at a mega corporation, but at
times they are quite comparable. Many nurses are forced to work double shifts,
sometimes with no breaks at all, and run from one patient to another while
juggling all of the intricate details of each case. This can be extremely
stressful on the nurse and hinders their performance. When working many hours a
day, they become a tad sluggish and lose their pep. Some nurses have to come in
early in the morning and leave nearly 24 hours later because the hospital is
short on medical staff and uses a few nurses to perform the actions of many.
2. Patient Dissatisfaction
Due to nurses being
overworked and experiencing burnout, they tend to deliver poorer results under
these conditions They work a bit slower than normal and on occasion, lash out
at their colleagues and patients. The patients are already in a pickle,
suffering from some ailment, and they are lying in a sickbed expecting some
sort of tender care from the medical staff, in particular the nurses. Nurses
working double shifts are usually quite tired and moody, and if a patient does
not comply for whatever reason, a nurse can become aggravated and behaves
rudely. Nurses who work only one shift a day are not as stressed out and tend
to always display good demeanor to their patients. This leads to patient
satisfaction, knowing that the nurses actually care about them. Otherwise, the
nurses come across as disinterested and apathetic.
3. Insufficient Sleep
The average person
should sleep at least 7 hours a day, preferably 8 according to several reports.
This leads to proper health and you will have enough energy to function the
next day. When working two shifts a day, a nurse is working upwards of 16 hours
a day treating patients and assisting doctors. All of this work leads to
burnout and if a nurse is unable to recuperate, this will carry over to the
next day, causing a nurse to feel exhausted. Getting insufficient sleep is a
sign of exhaustion and it has serious implications on both physical and mental
health. Nurses need their sleep since they are saving lives, and not getting
enough of it can affect both the nurse and the patients being treated.
4. Mistreatment by other Medical Staff
Nurses are always
at the beck and call of physicians, answering any questions they may have and
providing assistance whenever needed. Nurses are frequently clocking 16 hours,
at least, per day whereas their doctor counterparts typically do not. They do,
but not at the same frequency. Some doctors do not realize that hospitals are
understaffed and utilize nurses to perform multiple tasks. To make errors is
human and nurses are prone to make mistakes, especially when exhausted from
juggling multiple tasks. Physicians fail to take this into consideration and
sometimes unfairly berate their nurses, even though these nurses are trying
their best. Nurses would appreciate a bit more understanding from other medical
staff.
5. Lack of healthy Nutrients
Working a day and
night shift means that nurses have almost no breaks. They can barely squeeze in
a lunch break amidst the chaotic scene at a hospital. Emergencies can occur at
any moment so nurses don't have the luxury of eating a decent meal, much less
time to enjoy it. Nobody is suggesting that nurses should have a one hour lunch
break, but at least 30 minutes seems resonable. Nurses need a break where they
can recharge their batteries before going back to work. In addition, nurses
working double shifts should have more breaks distributed across their work
schedule to allow for a quick reprieve. A mandatory coffee break or stress
relief session would go a long way to keep a nurse’s mind fresh and in prime condition.
These are just a handful of
complaints nurses have expressed when they have to work day and night shifts
regularly. If these can be addressed, then the health of the nurses and
patients can be improved as well as productivity and efficiently.
Related: The International Nurses Association Launches Nurse Advisor Magazine’s New Online Forum
Related: The International Nurses Association Launches Nurse Advisor Magazine’s New Online Forum
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