![]() "In a hospital-based setting, those days are long. That can equate to working over 40 hours in three days. It's more like a 14-16-hour day when you factor prep and commute time. Corallo points out that a 12-hour shift isn't simply a 12-hour day. Working "three in a row," a term coined by nurses to describe working three consecutive days, is also linked to burnout. Even after a year, I still feel like I'm working half days," Corallo says. "The 12-hour bedside shift was definitely more tiring than my eight-hour office-based shift. She has since transitioned to an eight-hour shift position. Nurses who work 12-hour shifts are more likely to report feelings of:Ĭorallo worked 12-hour shifts for over 15 years. Research shows continual exposure to stress is taxing on the body and affects mental health, causing nurses to feel the effects of burnout. A nurse cannot meet multiple patients' needs if basic needs aren't met," Donofrio says.Īlthough the longer shift is popular among nurses, 12-hour shifts are linked to long-term health risks. "There is often no time for self-care in a 12-hour shift. This is another reason why nurses are burnt out. ![]() With the current nursing shortage crisis affecting all states, many hospitals are short-staffed and nurses don't get proper breaks, Donofrio points out. "I was frustrated because I started losing interest in the work I did even though I absolutely loved what I did for a living." "I found that I dreaded going into work because I knew how tired I'd be at the end of my shift," Corallo admits. She describes feeling physically exhausted and emotionally drained. Sarah Corallo, RN, AE-C, felt burnt out years into working 12-hour shifts. Feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job.Increased mental distance from one's job.Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion."It is a very long day that is draining both physically and mentally," Donofrio says. Although 12-hour shifts have allowed her more flexibility and less need for babysitting, she acknowledges the disadvantages of working extended shifts. I think 12-hour shifts keep a log of nurses at bedside," Donofrio says.īut after decades of nurses working 12-hour shifts, research found that many suffer from fatigue, sleep deprivation, and burnout.ĭonofrio has been working 12-hour shifts for over 15 years. "I would not be a bedside nurse if I had to be there five days a week. The 12-hour shift is still used today to incentivize nurses to remain in the profession and continue working in the hospitals. They also relied less on agency nurses to fill in shortages. It also provided continuation of care for patients.įor hospitals, the 12-hour shift meant less payout for overtime. The new longer shifts allowed nurses to have more work/life balance and work fewer hours during the week. It wasn't until the 1970s that hospitals introduced the 12-hour shift to combat the national shortage. Nurses demanded better salaries, better benefits, and a 40-hour work week. After World War II, nurses left the profession, citing low wages, poor working conditions, and lack of respect. The nursing profession has a long history of nursing shortages. Studies on nursing and burnout consistently report that a combination of a heavy workload, low control over the job, poor social support, and long working hours can lead to nurse burnout.Įxplore how nurses can gain control over their workday, resulting in a healthier work/life balance. But does working 12-hour shifts also cause burnout? Many nurses love 12-hour shifts because it provides work/life balance and flexibility. The majority of these nurses will work 12-hour shifts. The American Association of Colleges of Nurses reports that 55% of nurses work in hospitals. 12-hour shifts can also benefit those going back to school. Strategies to survive 12-hour shifts include taking breaks, self-care, and changing shifts.The 12-hour shift for nurses causes burnout due to long hours, heavy workload, and poor social support.It wasn't until the 1970s that hospitals introduced the 12-hour shift to combat a national nursing shortage.
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