International Nurses Association

Most nurses have worked 12 hour shifts, and occasionally 16 hour shifts, so where should the line be drawn? How many is too many?     12 Hour Shifts Many nurses work 12 hour shifts, and most have no problem in doing so.   The shifts are usually 3 days per week, allowing for 4 complete off days.   For most nurses, that works out great, however not everyone is the same.   Some people find that 12 hours is too many continuous hours, and they prefer a shift schedule of 8.   The important factor is, each individual should have a comfort level in the hours they work. Related: Where do Nurses Work?   Statistics On Working Hours Studies have been conducted on the nursing profession in regards to hours worked, and the results were not what was anticipated.   Prior to 2010, the American Medical Association recommended Nurses should work 8 hour shifts, and only in emergencies should they work 12 hours.   Of course their advice was not well received by nurses, and in fact was

Let's face it, nursing can be a very stressful job.   In any given work shift you hold countless lives in your hand, in addition to doing everything else a nurse does. You run from room to room, and give new meaning to the word “multitasking”. So how do you cope with the stress and relax? Learn to Let Go Letting a stressful day go is easier said than done.   It's very common to play the day's event over in your mind, especially if they are out of the normal, often the case in a hospital.   The first step to letting go is to actually do just that, let it go.   Try downloading a recording journal app for your phone.   When you leave work, as soon as you get in the car, make a recorded journal entry of the day.   What could have been better, what was good, and what wasn’t?   Venting is a great way of letting go, and by making a Journal out of it, you can refer to it later.   It's nice to go back and see even when things seem terrible, there is always a new d

Many hospitals now give nurses the option to work 12-hour shifts, resulting in fewer work days. This can allow for more family time and relaxation time; however 12-hour days can take a toll on your well being unless you make appropriate preparations.   Working three 12-hour shifts in a row can be pretty exhausting, as there isn't a lot of time for sleep and relaxation, not to mention day to day tasks.   Working only 3 days out of the workweek can be appealing, but the negative is a lack of time during the working schedule. Organize and Prep for Workdays Organization is the key to making three 12-hour shifts in a row work.   On an off day, make a couple extra complete meals.   Freeze them in containers that will be simple to thaw and serve, and rely on them on the long work days.   When you can heat up a meal, versus preparing and cooking a meal, you can easily save 1 hour or more daily.   Spaghetti, chili, and stews all freeze very well and are simple to thaw an

5:50-8:45 4:45 a.m. The alarm is vibrating my phone off the night stand.   Tired from the previous day, since I worked a 16 hour shift, I do what many other nurses do, I get up and go to work anyway.   Arriving at work, it's 5:50 a.m., and I am told that my patient in room 202 is not being cooperative. Then, the screaming started from my less than happy patient.   I faced the music or the patient in this case.   He informed me he was not being treated well, and he needed pain medications.   I agreed to check his chart regarding medication times, and he referred to me in no so nice terms and told me not to come back without pain medication.   I left his room and was immediately called to room 216.   An elderly woman, that was very kind and followed her doctor's instructions exactly, had a bowel movement after 5 days of no activity.   The problem was, she did not make it to the restroom.   Because of the patient’s lack of mobility, I stayed and helped the nursing assista