Nurse Shiftwork Effects
Shiftwork: Its Detrimental Effects
Every new nurse graduate looks forward to the day where they graduate and only have to work three 12 hour shifts a week. Most graduates are unaware of shiftwork and the detrimental effects it can have on their health. Shiftwork means working any shifts that fall outside of the norm nine to five schedule. In terms of the healthcare sector, it has two main categories of shift durations that allows for continuous care of patients. These two systems can further be broken down into two twelve hour shifts, or three eight hour shifts. Many believe that by working the 12-hour shifts they will have greater flexibility in their schedules, since they will essentially have four days off. These advantages do not off put …show more content…
Nurses should understand the circadian rhythm and the methods to counteract its negative effects of working when their body thinks it should be sleeping. The internal pattern of the circadian rhythm is regulated by dark and light with most people programmed to sleep during the hours it is dark outside. The circadian rhythm has an effect on many other things in the body such as temperature, heartrate, and hormone regulation. The circadian rhythm also has an effect on the nurses working conditions and their cognitive function. Lack of sleep can attribute to a slower reaction time, resulting in more on the job injuries or clinical errors. These errors include drug administration errors, incorrect operation of medical equipment, and needle stick injuries. (cite) These errors in return can be minuscule or they can life threatening. The buildup of these errors over time could cost the nurse ultimately their …show more content…
Nurses can set numerous goals that counteract the detrimental effects of shiftwork that ultimately can improve their professional nursing practice. Nurses should bond with co-staff. Bonding with staff will help increase the likelihood of the shift running more smoothly. This increased cohesion at work may also protect employees against negative health outcomes (Treuer et al, 2014). Shiftwork shift sequencing can be broken down into three categories: clockwise rotation, counter clockwise rotation, and rapid rotation. Nurses should seek to work the clockwise rotation, where the rotation sequence is based off the circadian cycle (Lin et al¸ 2012). This well help to promote sleep and decrease acute fatigue. Nurses should also make it a goal to understand their circadian rhythm clock. Nurses who understand this can learn to counteract the effects of daylight whenever returning home after working a night shift. Nurses should wear dark sunglasses when driving home in the morning and should cover the blinds in their bedroom with dark
Every new nurse graduate looks forward to the day where they graduate and only have to work three 12 hour shifts a week. Most graduates are unaware of shiftwork and the detrimental effects it can have on their health. Shiftwork means working any shifts that fall outside of the norm nine to five schedule. In terms of the healthcare sector, it has two main categories of shift durations that allows for continuous care of patients. These two systems can further be broken down into two twelve hour shifts, or three eight hour shifts. Many believe that by working the 12-hour shifts they will have greater flexibility in their schedules, since they will essentially have four days off. These advantages do not off put …show more content…
Nurses should understand the circadian rhythm and the methods to counteract its negative effects of working when their body thinks it should be sleeping. The internal pattern of the circadian rhythm is regulated by dark and light with most people programmed to sleep during the hours it is dark outside. The circadian rhythm has an effect on many other things in the body such as temperature, heartrate, and hormone regulation. The circadian rhythm also has an effect on the nurses working conditions and their cognitive function. Lack of sleep can attribute to a slower reaction time, resulting in more on the job injuries or clinical errors. These errors include drug administration errors, incorrect operation of medical equipment, and needle stick injuries. (cite) These errors in return can be minuscule or they can life threatening. The buildup of these errors over time could cost the nurse ultimately their …show more content…
Nurses can set numerous goals that counteract the detrimental effects of shiftwork that ultimately can improve their professional nursing practice. Nurses should bond with co-staff. Bonding with staff will help increase the likelihood of the shift running more smoothly. This increased cohesion at work may also protect employees against negative health outcomes (Treuer et al, 2014). Shiftwork shift sequencing can be broken down into three categories: clockwise rotation, counter clockwise rotation, and rapid rotation. Nurses should seek to work the clockwise rotation, where the rotation sequence is based off the circadian cycle (Lin et al¸ 2012). This well help to promote sleep and decrease acute fatigue. Nurses should also make it a goal to understand their circadian rhythm clock. Nurses who understand this can learn to counteract the effects of daylight whenever returning home after working a night shift. Nurses should wear dark sunglasses when driving home in the morning and should cover the blinds in their bedroom with dark