One of the most pressing issues in healthcare is actually a human resources issue with direct bearings on patient outcomes. Nurses are increasingly being expected to work twelve hour shifts, which has been touted as a means by which nurses can enjoy more days off and achieve an idea; work-life balance (Stimpfel, Sloane & Aiken, 2012, p. 2501). Yet in spite of the perceived benefits of a three-day work week, evidence has been showing that the twelve-hour shift is a direct cause of nurse burnout, turnover, job dissatisfaction, and other adverse outcomes include reduced quality of care. Stimpfel, Sloane & Aiken, 2012). Because patient outcomes are ultimately the most important thing in healthcare, I agree that whenever long hours become a problem for nursing staff, management teams need to revise their human resources policies.

The original research by Stimpfel, Sloane & Aiken (2012) shows that in their sample, “the longer the shift, the greater the likelihood of adverse nurse outcomes” such as burnout and decreased patient satisfaction with care (p. 2501). Yet what is most interesting about the Stimpfel, Sloane & Aiken (2012) article is that nurses seem to be unaware of the effects their longer shifts are having on their work quality and patient care. The researchers found that most nurses surveyed were actually satisfied with their schedules. What this seems to suggest is that nurses are making decisions about their work out of self-interest rather than being based on the principles of caring that undergird their profession.

My opinion is this: all healthcare institutions need to keep track of performance measures and patient perceptions of care. Whenever care quality decreases, or signs of burnout increase, the nurse leadership team needs to step in and reduce the number of hours on the nursing shift. This way, nurses who can somehow cope with the longer hours may do so but those who have less tolerance for the twelve-hour shift do not cause adverse effects.

References

Stimpfel, A.W., Sloane, D.M. & Aiken, L.H. (2012). The longer the shifts for hospital nurses, the higher the levels of burnout and patient dissatisfaction. Health Aff (Millwood). 2012 Nov; 31(11): 2501–2509.