I was sitting at my computer screen, entering orders for a physician, and trying not to forget what he had said since I had neglected to write it down. I was charting my note, mentally taking inventory of all the tasks I had accomplished and problems I had identified and reported. My eyes felt gritty and my mentation frazzled. I glanced at the time on my computer screen and was taken aback that seven hours had flown by so quickly. Then I realized with dread that I hadn’t documented a single thing on my other patient. I was so behind!
And as my sand-filled eyes started to water in the frigid air of my surgical ICU I realized I was beat. I was exhausted. Yet I had not been working all week. It was my first day on shift in two weeks! I knew, though, that nursing wasn’t so much exhausting because of the hours worked, but rather the work that was performed.
Yes, twelve hour shifts actually turn into thirteen and sometimes fourteen hour shifts, and by golly yes, that makes for a supremely long day! But you only have to do that for three days, right? Maybe four. The rest of the week you’re free and off jet-setting the country, leaving a trail of money in your wake as you go.
Yeah, right.
More like curled up under the covers in a dark room, recovering from a mental and emotional hangover much worse than one caused by the cheapest of Tequila.
As I sat at my computer screen fighting my mental and physical fatigue I knew the reason I was utterly exhausted, and although by most career standards my day should be coming to an end, it wasn’t even my lengthy shift still looming that made me want to wave my white flag of surrender. My patient was critically ill, and as such I had not stopped.
I remember in high school I ran track. Never one for speed, I was more of an endurance runner, and as a long-distance runner I can recall the trip around the half-mile track. After so many loops you’d get to a point where you were done. You were finished, in your mind and rubbery legs, and you felt certain you could go no further. You’d strive for that line up ahead that marked the finish, head down, legs pumping, and when you got there you’d realize you still had one more lap to go. One more lap, you’d whisper encouragingly to self, and by sheer adrenaline you would continue.
That’s kinda how nursing is. You go and go and go. You fight and fight and fight. You rush and rush and rush. And just when you think you may be done, you are not. The next shoe drops, the next set of vital signs plummet, the next patient falls, the next train wreck codes. On, and on, and on.
In few other fields will you find that the moment you hit the wall does not matter. Like a soldier into battle (and as a veteran I think I can speak on this), a nurse holds life and death on the line, so when your brain becomes fried and your body becomes weary, you just keep marching to the drumbeat of beeping IV pumps, shrieking monitor alarms, and persistently cruel call lights.
Nursing is exhausting for so many reasons, but the biggest being the task at hand. You work within the confines of time, pushing the limits to complete an enormous workload with minimal support staff available, all the while carrying a small library of knowledge within your overloaded brain, realizing that an error on your part could be detrimental.
You complete one job and another comes along, and much like an assembly line worker in a factory you keep going to prevent the great machine of healthcare from going on the fritz. Yet you also know if your machine stops so does someone’s heart, and if that’s not mentally draining then I don’t know what is.
So even one full day as a nurse, especially on a tough day, can seem akin to purgatory. That’s not to say that being a nurse is similar to torture, but anyone who’s begged the time clock to bring along the next shift knows exactly what I mean. You see, when you’ve mentally thought your way through keeping someone alive as long as your fizzled out mind can handle then a ten hour break away from the bedside seems like a much needed respite.
And yes, even working “just” three days a week is utterly exhausting.
Diane says
The job is extremely stressful which is why they need to go back to eight hour shifts. It gives the brain and body time to recoup.
Chelsea Erickson says
But then we’d have to be there every day. I need my off days to not be responsible for anyone else’s life but my own. Ya know?
I would not want that on my plate 5 days a week.
I love nursing. Absolutely love it. But I don’t know if I could handle more than 4 days a week.
Cynthia McPeak says
Would compromising with a 4/10 schedule work better? Stress is a killer.
Adam E says
I do nights, 12’s, and 6 in a row. That gives me 8 off to recuperate. I’ve found over the years that having only 2 or 3 between isn’t enough (as a night shift worker).
Christy says
I did the same exact thing at a very busy trauma center but I worked six 16 hr shifts for 24 hrs of OT and then took 8 days off! It was Heaven every other week!!
Patricia higgins says
I totally agree with 6 in 8 off as night shifter. I have worked in emergency nursing for 20 plus years. Yes it’s a long stretch. I have recovery day then I’m good! But more importantly I’m not trying to regulate a sleep pattern for two days on one day off that is too crazy for night shift.
Tonya says
I used to work 7 on and 7 off and loved it. 6 on and 8 off sounds great!
Faith Waulker says
It troubles me to hear the solution to this is to return to 8 hour shifts. I believe this will be a topic in my state. Wake up pencil pushers who aren’t on the floor. The real issue is patient to nurse ratios, not 12 hour shifts! Reduce us down to 8 and we still have all the orders, meals, interruptions, procedures, wound care, mass medication administration and mass charting to do. Now you want to take away 4 hours of our time to get things done we will have to do anyway and makes us do it 5 days a week instead of 3? The real solution is more nurses, more pay and a lower patient to nurse ratio. Of course, that takes money from the pockets of the greedy. It is far easier to sacrifice the health and well being of nurses and pstients.
Lupita Haddock says
So true ! I strongly agree and I’ve been a nurse 30 yrs and worked both nights , days and 12 hour and 8 hour shifts , 7-3, 3-11and 11-7 . After working at several different hospitals , they’re all the same … Pushing you to do more and more with less and less help . Not only do you have to deal with patient care there’s so much more … Families , doctors , doctors not answering pages , not writing or entering orders , not communicating with other doctors on the case and expecting you to , not communicating with families , not assessing patients just coping and pasting assessments from days before , thanks to computers . I could go on .
Emily says
So true! 8 hr shifts are not the way to go. I luckily got to work 8 hr shifts while pregnant, but literally my body after 24 weeks could not do 12 hour shifts because of the way my baby was positioned. But that was an exception! The days that are good are when I have enough help to handle my patient load and get everything done appropriately without missing or forgetting or not having time to chart something. That’s what makes all the difference: staffing.
rb says
You are correct. Even 12 hour shifts are tolerable IF staffing is what it should be!
Hally says
3-12 hour shifts…the only way to go. I feel like I barely work compared to 5-8’s or 4-10’s. Love my 12’s in ICU and Med surg.
Nancy says
Well said!! Better nurse patient ratios is the real issue.
Ruth Seyffert says
8 hour shifts is not the answer. I worked before 12 hours began. We worked 7 day shifts got 2 days then 8 evening shifts in a row then had a 4 day weekend. no family life as the days off were trying to recover only to do it again. then throw in 7 night shifts in there too. It was a blessing to work 12 hours for only 2-3 days. yes it is hard on the days you work but you do have a family life when you are off.
Todd Parker says
Used to do three 12s, which were really three 13s, or 14s, or 15s. Now do four eights on night shift, and even working nights, it’s so much better.
Christy says
I agree, 4 8’s would be heaven, but I can’t afford it. And now after 20 years as a RN, I have to obtain a BSN. Just more $$ to continue doing what I love, so I have to keep on doing 3-4 12 hour night shifts for now ?
Billie says
I am approaching 40 yrs of nursing. I worked 8 hr shifts in ICU then 12 hrs for many years, I currently work 10 hrs. I can honestly say that even though we had to work more days on 8 hrs I was never as exhausted as i was working 3 12 hrs or even 4- 10 hrs. It is time to bring back 8 hr shifts, it is healthier for the nurse and safer for the patients.
rb says
Totally agree. Especially when you are dealing with life and death issues.
cathy and john legrand says
i agree and also when trying to raise a family. the years go by too fast and the time is gone and family raised and then realize a family can live on less and be better off with more time with mom and/or dad. you can always get a nursing job, can’t get back time with your family or your health failing from doing too much.
Diane Krawetz says
8 hour shifts may be better for days but 12 hours are definitely better for night shift!
nancy mahan says
Both should be an option.. Some do better on 8’s, some do better on 12’s….. as is obvious, when you read this string of replies…
Amanda Flatt says
I know, I did 8 hour shifts on nights 5 nights a week and you are there ALL the time it seems. I could not handle it.
JoAnna says
I work in a very busy PACU with a very high acuity. We’re able to work 8, 10, 12 or 13 hour shifts. When new hours open up we apply for them and whoever has the most seniority gets the hours. I’m currently working 13 hour shifts, 3 days a week. However, I was on 4 tens for 8 years in the same unit and one of those years was nights. I prefer the 13’s. Yes, it’s a very long day, especially when you take into account travel time etc. But having the extra day off is much better. I work with some amazing nurses and we help each other get through the day. Most of our work day revolves around teamwork and helping each other.
Peggy says
I much prefer the 12 hr shifts. I want my freedom of 4 days off, well 3 days because one has to sleep. I work night shift. I believe we deserve to have better staffing with our support staff and a lot less micro management from the insurance industry.
Belen Aguilar says
I still prefer the 12 hours shift.
Debi says
What I don’t understand is why they skimp so much on the cna’s. They don’t cost as much as a nurse and if They could keep the rn ratios to 5 to 1 or less and throw in an extra cna everyone would be much happier, also teach the patients and family only to call for a nurse when appropriate. They don’t need a nurse to turn out the light.
katrn09 says
http://www.nationalnursesunited.org/issues/entry/ratios You should all sign this, mandated ratios, scroll down to Take Action, and it will automate a letter to your representative.
Julie RN says
Sure I would love to work 8hr shifts but oh yes I work in healthcare and it’s a 24 hr a day job and I don’t want to be forced to be away from my family 5 days a week so 3 12’s it is.
Rebecca Austin says
Just sent this in as a response to a survey for WSNA on rest breaks…
Have you ever been on an airplane and listened to their safety speech prior to take off? The part where they tell you about the oxygen masks and to put yours on first prior to helping your children or the person next to you… They do this because if you are without oxygen you will not be able to help those around you who need help.
I relate this to bedside nursing… It is hard work! 12 1/2 hour shifts plus commute time is a long time! Often all 3 meals of the day can be eaten while working one shift. The sun can rise and set while you are within the walls of the hospital. Nursing responsibilities are multiplying and nursing care is more complex than ever before, not to mention that we must constantly inform you about how the things we are doing for you as a patient are because we care for you and we need to script our words so that when you get your automated survey, you will realize that we were closing the curtain to respect your privacy and we always answered your call bell in a timely manner.
My question is, how am I supposed to keep up with the demands of this job when I have to go to the bathroom or have low blood sugar or am worried about something going on at home because I’ve been too busy to get a chance to check in with my family?! My shift is from 0700-1930. I leave my house at 0600 and return home at 2030. Within that time period I am supposed to get three 15 minute breaks and two 30 minute meal breaks. In my 6 years as a nurse I have NEVER gotten all of those breaks within one shift.
I am a mother and a wife in addition to being a nurse. I am a caregiver at home… I pack the lunches, I make the dinners, I schedule appointments, attend conferences, and make sure there is clean laundry to wear. Most days before I go to work I have done a lot of work at home to allow my household to run smoothly in my abscence. I also plan ahead because I know I will return from work and be exhausted! My point is, how am I supposed to do all of this with no break or perhaps one break? How am I supposed to operate at my best as a critical thinker, compassionate caregiver, great communicator when I am running on empty?
Often times in order to take a break one nurse “covers” for another nurse. This means that while nurse A goes to recharge, nurse B is now slammed with double the amount of patients and responsibility. This is not ok! We need to be given the opportunity to not only provide excellent care but to take care of ourselves so that we can provide excellent care. We need to put on our oxygen masks so that we can assist those around us. We need to fill up our cups so that they can overflow and pour out onto our patients.
Not getting breaks (or not getting adequate rest breaks) is a cause for mistakes, it affects patient safety, patient satisfaction, and nurse burnout and turn over. Please help us so that we can help our patients!
WED 1:05PM
Laura holz says
Why is it that the work load continues to increase yet no help. I work 12 hours shifts ( nights) and must complete tasks alone while days has several nurses to complete tasks. I get emotionally overwhelmed.
Rhonda says
I feel like my job is killing me. The 12 hours shifts are way too much. I managed it at 40, harder at 50, and now close to 60 it’s killing me. We don’t have 8 hrs shifts on my unit, and hardly any 8hrs shifts in our over 1000 bed hospital. By the end of the day I feel like I can hardly make it to my car. It is probably the most unhealthy work shift for humans. And we are the one’s trying to educate people on healthy living?
Barbara Lang says
I too worked way too many hours.. even when we did the eight hours, it was always a rush to get things done then onto the twelves. I became even more exhausted. I was tempted into a”desk” job with the promise no more long hours. Hah! What they didn’t tell me for six weeks that I would be an exempt employee that meant I didn’t have to punch the clock. Instead, I found myself stuck in job that was often 12-14 hours a day. “But you make this much money an hour!” Haha. This much an hour for an eight hour day. But when I worked more hours, it was oh well we expect you to do the job no matter how long it takes. Believe me my hourly wage was much less due to more hours worked.
No wondered I tried after 36 years in nursing. I was so burned out and now have multiple health problems that will never go away!
DONNA says
I work 3 8 hr shifts and 1 12 a week and even with being at work the extra day I feel better than working 3 12’s. Better home and work balance.
KC Corcoran says
After 34 years in nursing I have seen alot of changes. I can’t pinpoint exactly when things started becoming so focused on charting and all this redundant documentation. Working for a magnet status hospital is absolutely awful. I love nursing, I love giving care, I hate jumping through hoops to do my job. I am a CAREGIVER not a machine. I’ve come to resent that there is no longer time allowed to spend with a patient the way there used to be. I never want to work 8 hours again. I will suffer through 12 hours just to not have to dread going in 5 days a week…I cannot wait to put this chapter behind me.
Jane Rodman says
I absolutely agree with you on those changes. That is just the way I feel. Last year when I turned 60, I went back to 8 hour shifts. And I feel blessed that I only work 3 per week. Working those 12 hour shifts (really 13-15hr) was killing me. It wasn’t so bad when I was 30 or 40 but I just can’t do that anymore. I want to continue to give that high quality care to our patients but feel like our standards are slipping because we have to focus so much on the documentation/charting for the all important magnet certification.
Sally says
I agree. I am 62 and I can’t do the 12-16 hour shifts anymore. It’s so tiring. I am now doing five 8 hour shifts and for me it’s great!
Woody says
Working those long hours has been proven that it will cause Colon Cancer it you continue to work the nights. There are
several research paper written on this issue which indicates that is a danger shift if you work over 3 years on the same
shifts. Loss of sunshine or necessity of Vitamin “D3” should be taken in consideration as a preventive of Colon Cancer.
The hours of 7:00 am to 7:00 pm are the dangerous shifts for nurses who work these hours.
Woody
Natmansmom says
I am not an RN and wonder where does the assumption that working 8-hour shifts means you have to work 5 days a week? Is this some kind of “got to get in my 40 hours per week” thinking? Why does it have to be r hat way? Is working three 8-hour shifts in the week mean you come home with less pay than a lab technician who is paid less but works five 8-hour shifts? Just rhetorical questions here.
I commend those of you who successfully work long hours (especially as an RN) but falling asleep or blacking out on the drive home from the job can get yourself killed. Please stay safe!
victoria viroglio says
Speaking as a long time ER RN who has worked for several large hospital organizations over the years…if you don’t work 3 12’s or 5 8’s or 4 10’s (whatever) you aren’t considered full time and your healthcare/dental benefits cost significantly more and any sick/vacation time is significantly reduced, plus you may not be eligible for 401k and/or retirement benefits, not to mention the reduction of pay for not working full time.
Carly says
I quit 3 months ago after 8 years RN acute care experience, including a prison unit, alongside 20 years battling my own chronic illness. I quit for the field, to fix it. Previously I received a degree in Cognitive Science, so I’d like to combine two disciplines and create a new healthcare reform system that would change the way we approach this instead making $$$ by scapegoating Obama!
Merete says
I want to help you! I’m dying to change this system.
Dawn Dalton says
I used to think “just” 3 days as well. Since I’ve switched over to being a home health nurse, I’ve realized how many things I missed out on by only working 3 days a week. I never thought I would say I love working 5 days a week. I make my own schedule, can work around a kids appointment (if I have to) and can pick up a sick child whenever I am needed. I love home health! No more 3 days a week for this momma!
Donna Watson says
I also have worked 8 hour and 12 hour shifts, I prefer the 12 hours simply because it allows me to be available more for my family. I have 33 years of nursing and understand that working 8 hours on a day shift is better than 12 hours on a day shift, but when you work nights it is much better to work 12 hours with all 3 nights in a row. It has allowed me to be able to work full time and go back to school to get my BSN. I also think that a power nap on night shift would benefit both nurse and most importantly the patient.
Annalisa says
I am a respiratory therpaist and it’s NOT just nursing that goes through this!
michelle says
I work in the hospital ER, but not as a nurse. I don’t administer medication, only work 8 hour shifts, and am exhausted following a shift. I get concerned when I hear nurses talk about working multiple 16 hour shifts in a row. Isn’t there a cap on the amount of hours per shift a resident can work? If so, why don’t nurses have the same restrictions?
Mel D says
I work with many nurses that do 5 and 6 12 hour shifts for the overtime pay. I feel that this is an extremely unsafe practice but it continues to be allowed. You can’t possibly operate at your max if you’re working this much. Money just isn’t that important to me. I never do the overtime. Maybe I’m not considered a team player because of this but I feel that if we are continually caving into administration and willing to do the overtime, then they won’t hire more staff. It’s time to say NO to excessive overtime and force the hand of administration to get more staff on board. Overtime limits should also be required if only for patient safety.
Eddie Kearns says
You have to know when you are training as a nurse it isn’t all roses and sunshine. The pay you to work nobody said it would be easy. You are making pretty good money on a vocational education, unless you made it a 4 year degree.
Reba says
“You’re making pretty good money on a vocational education”…sounds more like you’re saying “You should be thankful you make less than most garbage collectors, you barely educated yourself after all.” Well, fuck you. I have two bachelors and a masters. It’s almost impossible to get a nursing job without a bachelors anymore. Check yourself.
RN5878 says
LOL! Yup!
Mel D says
Well said Reba
Kevin Cole says
Eddie Kearns,
From a brief look at your facebook page, it shows you wash lettuce at Taco Bell.
It also shows you ” I got a PHD in Women’s Litarature at University Of Phoenix (when if you actually did, then you would know that you “received” or “attained”, even “earned” a “PhD” (not PHD).
And then the obvious. You misspelled Literature, you knucklehead.
This little lesson has been brought to you from a 11 year RN that was for 14 years a FF/Paramedic.
I hold 2 bachelor’s degrees (BS, Human Biology; BS Fire Service Administration)
A master’s degree in Clinical Research Design and Management
Yet I work under my “vocational” ADN (Associate’s Degree, Nursing) and have been working as a critical care RN both within a hospital and pre-hospital (rotary, fixed, and ground) transport.
And you come in with your nonsense.
Then there is this little beauty of a post from your facebook page. (link below)
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010094116699
And I quote;
Eddie Kearns
October 17, 2015 ·
” What is pissing me off today? That effin’ Meme about nurses being pissed and shit on and late for break and too busy to bring the patients their pain meds. Gimme a fuckin break you went to school to be a nurse. At some mutha fuckin point you knew what you were in for. If you don’t like your job find another. If a patient needs their meds then fuckin give them to them or go back to school for another vocation.
Eddie Kearns
October 17, 2015 at 3:53pm
Now get my grandma her meds you fuckin slut bucket. Out at the nurse station playing your cell phone and painting your fuckin finger nails and saying you’ve been too busy to get her pill to her!
BTW it also says you just bought yourself a new “single-wide”
Congratulations ??? I guess ???
LOL you are lucky that we as nurses have seen, and heard it all – and that turds such as you are nothing but a minor annoyance. We have seen, and successfully deal with much worse on a daily basis.
Good luck at taco bell. Hopefully one day soon they let you near the fryer. Just don’t burn yourself – you never know. A RN may have read your page LOL
sally hull says
This is for Eddie. I must say that your language and attitude are very disturbing. You need major education especially regarding nursing. You have no idea what the day is like. If the nurses actually got to sit and talk about nothing for a few minutes then good for them. I feel sorry for you
Linda Lee Lentz says
I have worked in nursing since 1967. I was a Nurse’s Aide, then Respiratory Therapy Technician, Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse then I obtained my BSN. I have worked all shifts. Unfortunately, I had to stop working because of my Health Issues. I wish I could still work because I loved my career. I usually worked in Critical Care, but have worked on all floors,even filled in on OB! I have taught clinical components of LPN and RN programs, worked as a floor nurse and as a Supervisor. This is something I have told my husband over the years. The powers to be expect too much from the nursing staff. Nurses are overworked and have way too many expectations put on their shoulders. We need less patients to nurse ratio. Sometimes it looks as if there is no way proper patient care can be given. When I first started out spending time talking to patients, giving them evening snacks and nightly backrubs was the norm, not the exception! We have become more task oriented and less patient oriented because of the overwhelming nurse to patient ratios. I have nothing but respect for my fellow nurses!
Debbie says
I was a nurse for over 30 years and like a lot of my colleagues I had to retire due to my health. Many ailments that nurses have are from the long and stressful shifts especially nights. I loved being a nurse and I miss it but not the long hours and stress .
Mandy says
I am currently working 5 8 hours shifts a week and it sucks! I work at a min 3-5 days in a row with usually 1 day off in between (unless its my weekend off). It is terrible. I am trying so hard to get onto 12’s so I can get some days off in a row to regroup.
Quinn says
I find it troubling that you have related nursing, a fairly safe and comfortable career choice, to being a member of the military. I’m not personally an active member of a branch, but I would imagine that anyone who does put their life on the line, who chooses to serve their country and be away from their family and home for months or years at a time, would be utterly disgusted with your analogy. No, no one enjoys working a 12 hour shift, but millions of people do it everyday. And not just nurses. I personally am a athletic trainer, a recognized allied-health professional just like nurses, where I am responsible for hundreds of student athletes, every single day, 5 days a week and most weekends can be kissed goodbye while we’re at it. Talk about a provider-patient ratio discrepancy. But we make it work. You know who else works 12 hour days…Single moms that work two jobs, construction workers, doctors, retail managers, SOLDIERS…since you want to compare yourselves to those brave enough to fight for our country. I’m not here to say any health profession is more valued more than another. I’m just asking for nurses to come down off their high horse and l realize you’re not the only ones who are tired, but yet you’re the first ones to complain.
Kevin Cole says
Um, No.
read here:
In the United States Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR, Title 42: Public Health), allied health is
defined by exclusion. Specifically, Chapter 6A of Title 42,
Subchapter V, Part F, Sec. 295p states that {B]the term “allied
health professional” relates to a professional who is not a
physician, registered nurse, physician assistant or doctor of
osteopathy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatric
medicine, chiropractic, clinical psychology, or pharmacy.[/B]
So, no, it isn’t the same.
And pretty sure your student athletes don’t die if you have a bad day or make a poor decision.
To add, you don’t have a patient ratio – you don’t even have patients.
I have served both a medic and registered nurse in combat environments and I feel the consistency of strain I endure working inside a critical care environment within the hospital outweighs any of the stressors I endured either overseas or here stateside doing pre-hospital critical care transport. The consistency of the grind, and lack of breaks, combined with the tenuous nature of critical care simply is a huge drain on the nursing population.
That is why you hear so often of nursing burnout and not “athletic trainer burnout.
Joy Noonan says
Amen, Kevin! I have worked in Critical Care for 27 years and found that not only do we have more work and responsibilities and less help because hospitals are trying to run the place on a shoe string budget! The redundant computer charting is a horrible waste of my time that could be spent taking care of my patients. I knew what excellent nursing was before, and feel so stressed and unsatisfied because I am not able to give my patients the most important thing; my time.
cathy and john legrand says
good answer.
Phyllis Tucker says
I feel the trouble isn’t 12 hour shifts , It is the fact Nurses & CNA’s are expected to do so many things, 5-6 patients can be easy if they are amuatatory but if you have 3 skilled patients ,2 acute & hospice patient than throw in the outpatients needing antibotics , blood or dressing changes
Now during 6:45 to 1500 you have supervisors,OT, Phyiscal Therapy , Unit Sercrearies,& different staff from different department
But from 1500 -0645 you may have 1 RN & 1 CNA to cover 6 patients , 1 outpatient , 2 surgical patients & last minute admission & dealing with Hopice for one of you patient & their families
Our Careers are beyond stressful we deal with Docotors who hold onto patient who need to be transferred to hospitals with more advanced equipment , specialist, the stress of knowing our patients are failing & we can’t do anything about it until family & Phyiscans have exhausted everything that they can do in their means
Becoming attached to your patient & having to slowly see them fail due to their illiness & know the struggles they went through before they finally leave this world as you hold theirs hands as they take their last breathe
Than you have to wipe away your tears & put on a smile cause you now have many more patients depending upon you & are upset cause they didn’t get their walk at same time or their medicine was slightly late or their supper tray didn’t get there right at normal time & you can’t tell them sorry but I was holding someone’s hand as they die just now cause that’s a hippa
The many trips to lab, pharmacy to straighten out any med error, or having to wait until ED has time to pull a med cause it’s after pharmist has gone or not in Omicell
Dealing with so many different crazy stuff through out a shift sometimes if we could sit down & write a book about crazy stuff no one would eve believe what funny things happen to nursing staff in an twelve hour day on your worst day the best you can hope for is at end of the day you find some type of humor
Barbara R says
I’ve been an RN for 30 years and am close to walking away. I actually passed out from the stress of a gyn onc unit where my assignment was 4 patients. I was doing 3 12 hrs/week. We had 2 cnas for 22 patients and the charge nurse took a full assignment most days. Patients’ call bells rang to a phone the RNs carried (our assigned pts only) which was probably the worst part-constant interruptions, reduced concentration. On one particular day I had orders come through to transfuse 2 different patients, hook up a pca pump and was dealing with a family whose loved one was dying imminently. This was all within 20 minutes. I was in the med room prepping the pump when my phone rang. It was my patient’s family demanding to know why their mom wasn’t being discharged until the weekend when they made all the arrangements for Friday. The HUC had transferred the call to me and I handled it professionally ( referred them to the appropriate social worker who handles these issues). By now I’m pretty frazzled and had words with the HUC regarding the call coming to me instead of the SW. I wasn’t happy and I’m sure that was evident. She and I took the conversation elsewhere and I was almost in tears. She left and I decided to take a quick breather before returning to the med room to finish prepping the PCA pump. I knew the blood was arriving shortly (I didn’t have to go get it myself this time) so wanted to push through but I couldn’t. Last thing I remember was kneeling down.
Next thing I remember is being put on a stretcher and faces all around me. My head ached and was fuzzy. My BP was 300 something/100 something. I was brought to the ER. That was the end of that job for me. I transferred to outpatient clinic within a week. When I was younger I thrived on trauma, the adrenaline rush of emergencies and could handle multitasking much better. I’m in my 50’s now and am very hard on myself for not being able to do so with the same confidence and skill as before, but I don’t want any job to affect my health and shorten my life.
I think nurses are amazing, resourceful and compassionate people but we need to be compassionate with ourselves just as well. Why are there work limitations on air traffic controllers, pilots, truck drivers but not nurses?? Why do we feel allow ourselves to have multiple uti’s from being dehydrated and not emptying our bladder at regular intervals? I’m glad I’m at the end of my nursing career, looking for something else now to be able to reprioritize my life. it’s been a great ride, but I’m done!!
liberty says
As someone that is not a nurse, though I always wanted to be one, and have the highest respect for nurses, I am not in favor of the 12 hour shifts. The last two years of my Daddy’s life were spent primarily in the hospital and what I learned with this system is that the continuity of care suffers greatly. Especially for those patients that are in for several weeks, or longer, at a time.
There were many such admissions where Daddy never had the same nurse twice!!! Patients in these situations (hopefully) improve in a slow and steady manner and it is impossible with the revolving door of nurses, for any of them to be a good judge of progress. Rarely, if ever, did any nurse come into the room having even glanced at Daddy’s chart and every time, it was the same round of questions regarding his history. He had frequent infections and MRSA and though lucid and able to communicate, if my Mom or I were not there, then who knows what he would have said! Granted, he was guilty of the manly offense of not telling the whole truth to medical staff or just outright twisting and stretching the truth, but having some continuity with the caregivers would have avoided this. Unfortunately also, many families are not there and vigilant in keeping up with what goes on! I personally am like a dog with a bone and questioned every medical person that entered the room…identify yourself, why are you here, on whose orders?, etc, etc. I was there every day from 5-6am until 8-9pm. We also kept a log of who, what, when and why. When the patient is not completely “there” and reliable in regard to advocating for themselves and the family is also not there, I believe that the nursing staff (the doctors too), without realizing, become complacent to a degree about just doing what needs done, without having to explain and sometimes are taken aback when asked. Again, I see this as all due to lack of continuity.
Don’t even get me started on the “hospitalists”!!!! All of the same issues! Monday..Hey, I’m your weekday hospitalist for this week, then come Weds…Hey I’m your new weekday hospitalist for today and tomorrow and there will be someone else over the weekend!
I know that nurses are not the issue here. I know that I don’t know enough about what goes on on the other side to make a fully informed conclusion. I don’t know what the answer is. I know that you nurses must be as frustrated as I am about this. Thanks for letting me vent and THANK YOU for all you do!!!
EastcoastRN says
I’m on a med surg rehab floor and we work 4’s, 8’s, or 12’s. I work as charge or floor nurse or admissions and I do primarily 4’s because I have young kiddos and we can avoid daycare costs this way :).
Also we run with a heavy patient load typically 12/13 to one RN and we heavily rely on our CNAs. We have a great team environment. When I’m charge and caught up I will do the accuchecks and pain meds (prn that are called for) for the floor nurses to help lighten their workload. I have been an RN for 10 years and an aide for 7 years prior to that. I don’t walk past a call bell unless I have something else going on. I think people going into nursing with a false sense of what the field is all about. It is a consumer services driven field and we are not only nurses but so much more!
My hats off to this who have proudly given several decades to this profession!
Patty says
I wish I had 4=6 patients. I work in a nursing home. Evenings and nights I have the whole floor of 60 residents with treatments and meds. Dayshifts have half that amount. And then expected to monitor the CNAs to see if they leave to smoke or go outside cuz if they do they don’t get paid for that time and of course don’t clock out. And monitor their cell phone use while in residents rooms, Needless to say residents come first over supervision of CNA’s. And most of the CNA’s are travelers now a days. We are not headed in the right direction at all. It is scary, Another year I am considering social security and no medical insurance cuz this life sucks.
Shannon says
I’m a CNA2 in a geri-psych hospital. I work 3/12 hr night shift. Our staff work together and have to depend and trust each other or we could be seriously hurt. Our nurses get right in there and help toilet patients or get a warm blanket, etc whatever it takes to help our patients and keep our unit functioning. We are a team and pitch in to get the work done no matter if we’re a RN or CNA. We CNA’s monitor ourselves since we’re adults and we all make sure everyone takes their breaks.
Jen says
I am a CNA. I just left a hospital were often we had 15 to 20 patients each CNA . Yes 12 hour shifts.
Tom Jakush says
All very valid perspectives, I wish I knew the answer, but I don’t. I love what I do and muscle through all these issues knowing it takes a tole on me. We are lead into the idealism that we are taught in school but the reality is so much different. But the love for what I do sustains me…knowing we need major changes in patient ratios and support staff are the major issues we deal with, everything else is a personal life choice. I just got off my 4th night of five the ICU…I so get it…
AmandaT says
I am a respiratory therapist and we go through the same thing, sometimes even worse because we often are given two or three different floors in the hospital and an unsafe amount of patients. If we are seen taking a break for more than ten minutes, we get in trouble. Not being able to take more than 30 minutes to sit down during the day is terrible for your body. Many RTs I know have to eventually get vein procedures done because of the leg stress. I have sever chronic back issues. 12 hour shifts are brutal but I don’t think I would go to 8’s and have to feel the stress of the job 5 days a week.
Christy says
I’ll take my 8 hour home health shifts with my one patient any day. 15 years hospital nursing burnt me completely out! So sick of 12 hours that become 13 or 14 hours and then mandatory overtime. Too much for me to do and be there for my kids and not be a zombie. I may not have as many days off, but I can actually enjoy the ones I do.
Marie Chantal says
I’ve worked many jobs, and yes as a nurse too. Each very different, each with long hours. These days, sitting at a computer is par for the course. I’ve worked both ways. I’ll take a computer any day over charting and trying to decipher hand writing. 3 day work week? As a nurse I worked 8 to 16 hour days rushing from one patient to another, charting, calling physicians about their patients, getting new orders, bathing, changing clothing, bedding and administering medications and giving care.There were no 3 day work week. There were no Patient Care techs to help. Not only did we work 40 plus hours a week, many times when not working, we were on call. Rest? After all these years, there isn’t any. Life and work happen. After long hours of working, I then went home to care for my children. Only to wake up and do it all again. There was no time to be exhausted.After all these years, I’d do all over again. Nursing is a fantastic career and I loved it. At 63 years of age, I appreciate it far more today than when I was young. And if you think working 8 to 5 in a doctors office is any better, think again. I did that for 12 years in a family practice. I would have to leave at 10 minutes to 6:00 to go pick my children up at day care, bring them back to the office, leaving after the last patient left, rushing home to bath, make dinner, help with homework, etc… It’s a career, it’s a good career and it pays well. Love it or leave it. Patients deserve the best. I no longer work as a nurse, and posts like this bring back the years of the one job I loved. Today, I run my own company. There is no break, no time off. If I don’t do it, it doesn’t get done. Bottom line, long hours come with working, no matter the job.
Anne says
I’ve worked those 12hr shifts that morphed into 14 6x per week every week while I was in grad school as a supplementary nurse. And had children at home that suffered. I’ve worked as a nurse practitioner inpatient and outpatient, it isn’t any better and doesn’t pay that much better either with way more responsibility. But the part that really kills me is that much of what is being done to the nurses at the frontlines is being done by nurses with the clipboards who will not or who dare not stand up to upper management about patient care and the complexities of patient care and how staffing needs to be increased. The number of meetings which take place at which exactly nothing is accomplished, and where possibly 20 upper level nurses sit for 2hrs doing basically nothing but satisfy some regulation about self governance or other fantasy are eating up budgets that could be used to provide more CNA help or even RN staffing at the bedside.
Management begets management, it does not usually improve conditions for those who are doing the work. This is almost axiomatic. Fewer upper level nursing managers and directors, with fewer ineffective committees, and more RNs at the bedside would serve most hospitals better.
E JONES says
MANAGING A NURSING HOME SHIFT IS HARD ON YOUR OWN AS A NURSE NO MATTER HOW ORGANISRD YOU ARE AND WITH A TEAM OF GOOD HCAS. I HAVE NURSED 35 YEARS NOW AND
I CHOOSE TO WORK PART-TIME NOW. I AM A BETTER NURSE FOR IT MORE PHYSICALLY AND
MENTALLY PREPARED FOF THE DAY. NURSING IS MUCH MORE A MENTALLY DEMANDING ROLE
THAN WHEN I STARTED AND I SERIOUSLY MISS THE DAYS WHEN THEIR WERE MORE PROFESSIONAL EYES ON DUTY ?