Forward-rotating shifts better for worker health

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

found @ ana smartbriefs:

forward-rotating shifts better for worker health

using forward-rotating shifts that follow the clock seems to be less damaging to a shift worker's health, a review of data from 26 studies found. the review also found making those shift changes every three or four days is better for health and work-life balance than using seven-day intervals. nursezone.com

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

Interesting thanks

[Kyrshamarks, BSN, RN]

I thought rotating shifts went the way of the dinosaurs. I have not seen anyone work those in years at many different hospitals.

[Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN]

I did a day/night 12 hr rotating shift, often flipping twice in a week. It was horrible - and that job didn't last long. I was a complete mess. I didn't know what day it was, or what time of day it was when I woke up in a panic thinking I had to get to work, only to find my husband or my oldest son in the hallway after hearing me crash around pulling on scrubs and swearing, telling me that it was OK and reorienting me to time and place. Well, they thought it was funny at least...

Blee

[mdfog10]

Rotating shifts are unsafe and something that belongs in the dark ages. Magnet is against rotating shifts. I find that many nurses do prefer one shift over another. It is the rotating of shifts that makes nurses sick and unhappy. I have worked with several nurses who were borderline unsafe on the night shift. A hospitals inablility to staff shifts is not solved by forcing nurses to rotate shifts. That only ensures a steady turnover rate!!

[caliotter3]

I read a study many years ago that stated the opposite. It also stated that people should stay on each shift a minimum of three weeks. I hated rotating shifts and wouldn't work that way again. At least now I can choose my shifts. I am not forced to work any particular way.