Are 12 hour shifts safe?

[psychnurse1998]

It has been my experience that most of my medical errors have occurred towards the end of shift, when I am most fatigued, and this is with an 8 hr shift. I work with nurses that like to do doubles, and many times one has to help them because they are to tired, or one feels like one should help them. 12 hours shifts do not make sense to me from a health and safety point of view. As nurses we should realize our bodies need rest. We are health role models for other workers, so what kind of example are we giving them. I wonder if a study has been done comparing med errors by nurses that work 12 hr shifts versus 8 hr shift nurses. My guess is that is higher. So my question is..are 12 hour shifts good for your health, and the well being of your patients?

[Sandwitch883RN]

I didn't read every single post (there are ALOT) so this might have been addressed...but....I don't understand why hours can't be more flexible in general. I really like working 12's and i'm hands down a day shift worker. I also don't mind 8's because they seem to fly by. I do like working 12's and going to work less days per pay period. I make more money doing 12's cause i'm intermittent (PRN) at my facility and anything over 8's hours in one shift is overtime for me. I don't like being locked in to 7a-7p or 7p-7a. I dont do well working nights and I have child care issues working 7a-7p. Years ago, when my kids weren't school age I worked 3-11 and LOVED it. I have to option of doing 8's but would never see my kids working 3-11. Alot of the younger nurses I work with complain about childcare when working 12's. I wish more options for hours were available like alot of ER's do. 11a-11p or 3a-3p, or other flexible hours.

[Woodenpug, BSN]

I'm not sure if this is on topic. I worked for an agency that had several clients who would have been better served by nurses working 12 hour shifts. The management did not want to do this. I really don't know the reason. The reason they gave was that it was against labor laws. Then, the San Francisco Chronical wrote an article about how a law was going to be passed allowing other 24 hour industries to do the same as has always been allowed for hospitals. Wow, now we had an opportunity to meet our needs and the client's needs. Then our union gave us the "benefit" of not working 12 hour shifts.

[DanaOatman]

studies have shown more medication error happen in the last 4 hours of a 12 hr shift... our bodies are just plain tired..

[Woodenpug, BSN]

studies have shown more medication error happen in the last 4 hours of a 12 hr shift... our bodies are just plain tired..

The studies I was able to find, have a very different conclusion. (please see my earlier post.) I was searching for evidence that would support your statement or a similar hypothesis. Please list those studies.

[DanaOatman]

you know... i have seen "studies" in all shapes and forms.. i have seen "studies" that say milk is good for heartburn, i have seen "studies" that say green tea fights cancer.. i have seen enough studies in my years of nursing... BOLOGNA!! i don't NEED a study to see more error's caused in the last 4 hrs of a 12 hr shift... I just look around. I look at my co workers that are running on just pure adrenaline fuel.. that's all i need to see.. thanks tho

[Woodenpug, BSN]

you know... i have seen "studies" in all shapes and forms.. i have seen "studies" that say milk is good for heartburn, i have seen "studies" that say green tea fights cancer.. i have seen enough studies in my years of nursing... BOLOGNA!! i don't NEED a study to see more error's caused in the last 4 hrs of a 12 hr shift... I just look around. I look at my co workers that are running on just pure adrenaline fuel.. that's all i need to see.. thanks tho

I'm a little confused. Your previous post said that studies show that more med errors are made in the last four hours of a shift. Now you seem to be saying, studies have no meaning.

I wonder, is it your opinion that 12 hour shifts are not safe? Do you have some agenda that is best supported by finding that 12 hour shifts are not safe? In either case, the truth is 12 hour shifts do not lead to increased med or other errors. I'm sorry that well conducted peer reviewed evidence is not sufficient, when you do not like the conclusion.

[systoly]

I don't think 12 hour shifts are safe. In fact, I don't think 8 hour shifts are safe. So where do I apply for the 4 hour shift? Now let's talk about residency. Do you think 36 hour shifts are safe?