Skip to main content

5 Complaints of Nurses Working Double-Shifts



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

 Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest, Twitter

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

As a Nursing Student, what Extracurricular Activities are Beneficial?

We already had our time to treat the immense demanding curricula a nursing school provides. Nursing students are often familiarized with it at the very beginning of their journey. Information usually being provided is strictly covering what the school curricula involve. It does not provide hints on possible courses or extracurricular activities a nurse-to-be has to follow in order to get the most of his/her studying years. A nursing student might consider going for a nurse related extracurricular activity that will be efficient in terms of time management. What might count as a productive extracurricular activity for a nursing student? o      Initiating one or more community service projects o      Job shadowing o      Volunteer   Why should one consider these extracurricular activities once he or she is studying to become a nurse? Well, first of all, nursing requires a lot of good will and dedication. It is that kind of profession you need to put all your physic

Where do Registered Nurses Work?

Registered nurses are needed far and wide, and there dispersal amongst various facilities is illuminating.   Commonly, you associate nurses with hospitals, but their expertise is needed in a plethora of environments.   An overwhelming amount of nurses, (60% to be exact) operate in hospitals.   Comparing this percentage to the mere 5% working in nursing homes, RN’s have disseminated into non-governmental and EDU positions, as well as employment facilities and doctor’s offices.    Related : 2016 INTERNATIONAL NURSES ASSOCIATION (INA) SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Visit www.nurseadvisormagazine.com for more information on nursing. R elated : Top Nurse with the International Nurses Association, Steven Eric Southerland, RN, BSN, AAS, EMT-P to Publish in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare Please follow us on Facebook , Linkedin , Pinterest , Twitter

Insomnia in Nurses

The nursing profession has more workers suffering from insomnia than any profession overall.   It's really not surprising: rotating shifts, long hours, emotionally draining days or nights, and of course the pressure of not making a mistake. It all can take its toll, and that toll may be in the form of insomnia.   Insomnia Facts Do you ever look at s sleeping baby, and think about how you wish you could sleep like that?   Babies have no daily worries. Someone always cares for their needs, so their minds are not preoccupied with “what ifs”, or consumed with thoughts of everything that must be accomplished the following day.   No wonder we can't sleep!   One of the main reasons so many nurses suffer from insomnia is that it's difficult to essentially shut the mind down.   You can physically put your body to bed, however you cannot reach in the brain, flip a switch, and turn of the mind.   Think of it like this; you get a comfortable blanket and pillow however ins