In: Nursing
Find a blog that presents and defends an argument within the post. Write a paragraph evaluating the arguments as either inductive or deductive. Provide the blog link in your paragraph response. Why do you think identifying these different elements are important?
The case for 8-hour nursing shifts
1. Longer shifts increase fatigue
You may sign up for a 12-hour shift, but many in the industry say a 12-hour shift can quickly spill into overtime, whether voluntary or not. And despite regulations on shift length and cumulative working hours for resident physicians and workers in other industries, there are no national work-hour policies for registered nurses
Studies show that nurses who clocked long hours three consecutive days in a row displayed a pattern of sleep deprivation and slower reaction time. The problem was the same regardless if nurses were working day shifts or night shift.
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2. Shorter shifts can result in less burnout
Studies show that nurses who work longer hours exhibit higher instances of burnout. Nurses who worked shifts 10 hours or longer were two and a half times more likely to experience burnout and job dissatisfaction, according to a study by the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). And burnout can cause employers to lose valued employees — the study also showed that these nurses were more likely to leave their jobs.
3. Shorter shifts improve patient satisfaction
Patients were less satisfied when their nurses worked 13 or more hours, and more satisfied when their nurses worked 11 or fewer hours, according to a study by NINR.
4. Shorter shifts have fewer errors
Nursing is a grueling career — physically, mentally and emotionally. The strains of long shifts can manifest in mistakes — mistakes with great consequences. Nurses working overtime or working shifts longer than twelve hours experienced significantly more errors or near errors, according to a study conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
5. Shorter shifts result in fewer on-the-job injuries
Studies show that nurses, especially newer ones, working longer hours are more susceptible to workplace injuries such as strains and needle sticks.
6. Longer shifts can be detrimental to a nurse’s health
Nurses who regularly work long hours may see a negative impact on their health. Studies found a link between a nurse’s long hours and an increased risk for a multitude of health issues, including musculoskeletal disorders, gastrointestinal problems, gastric ulcers, obesity, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
The case for 12-hour nursing shifts
1. Longer shifts promise less patient turnover
The most prominent benefit of longer shifts is the decrease in handoffs. Instead of three or more nurses attending to a patient in the span of one day, only two are needed with 12-hour shifts. Less handoffs between nurses mean less reports and less chances for miscommunication and possible error.
2. Longer shifts can provide better work-life balance
Instead of having downtime at home for a few hours each night, plus your traditional two-day weekend, nurses who work 12-hour shifts often have a four-day weekend.
3. Longer shifts mean less commuting
With a shorter workweek comes this obvious benefit — fewer commuting days — especially if you live far from work or sit in traffic each night.
4. Longer shifts offer greater flexibility for nurses
The longer block of time at home makes for more flexibility in a nurse’s life — especially if they pursue further education, raise a family or choose to pick up extra shifts.
5. Longer shifts are easier to schedule
Longer shifts for nurses make for easier scheduling, from a managerial standpoint. It’s one less shift to schedule every day.
6. Longer shifts improve morale
Flexible scheduling options, such as the 12-hour shift, improve absenteeism amongst nurses, boost morale and increase retention.
Nurses who work longer days may appreciate having more days off in between shifts, but they can face some challenges, as well.
Adding to the existing body of knowledge surrounding the risks associated with nurses working long hours and getting fatigued, a new study shows that even though nurses overwhelmingly expressed satisfaction with their schedules, working long hours was associated with more nurse burnout, a greater intention to leave their positions and decreased patient satisfaction.
Part of it might be that it sounds good to work three days a week, but once you start working it and your shift is longer or you are called in on your day off, the benefits disappear.
Patients sense the [nurses’] frustration or lack of caring,” Amer said. “Patients are a lot more sophisticated and more consumer-focused and know when they are not getting the care they should be getting.
More than 80 percent of the nurses said they were satisfied with scheduling practices. However, as shift length increased so did the percentage of nurses reporting burnout and the intention to leave their current job. They found the odds of burnout and job dissatisfaction were 2.5 times higher for nurses who worked longer shifts when compared with nurses who worked eight or nine hours
http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/blog/nursing-debate-8-hour-shifts-vs-12-hour-shifts/
Nurse should have up-to-date knowledge of "What is happening in their field". These blogs are helpful to grow in their profession. To know what is the current situation. What is happening around the world. To know more about patient care. To know more about nursing rights and law.