12-Hour Shifts Led to Fatal Crash

Patricia Ordnung · Mar 26

I've never thought 12-hour shifts were a good idea. For starters, they often turn into 13 and 14 hours. They compromise patient care, nurses' ability to care for themselves, and the general public in situations like this. The one who benefits is the facility that cut three 8 hour shifts to two 12s.

robinasq · Mar 26

This is a tragedy! Every nurse I know is exhausted! No matter 8,10,12's. I am much better at the end of my 3rd consecutive, night shift than 1st. Nurses have to stop being everything to all people, that first means not getting abused at work, sufficient staffing, getting a real break each shift like any other worker does.

C.Love, MSN, NP · Mar 26

I've had to work long hours on call in the operating room and later years in PACU, sometimes it can't be avoided, never fell asleep at the wheel, but I don't think it's right to charge this person with manslaughter. Very sad.

B52, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 26

When I worked night shift, I kept the same sleep schedule on my off days. That's the only way I could function. When I switched to a new job with daytime hours I was ecstatic. I would have to be desperate to do 7p-7a again.

Elizabeth Bloing · Mar 27

I don't think being awake for 17 hours is unusual.
that being said. Thousands of people work night shifts and don't fall asleep.

to o many people cannot understand that some one that works nights needs to sleep during the day. Meetings and inservices are scheduled for mid day. Family calls, etc.

when you work nights you have to protect your sleep!

CurlyInScrubs, ASN, BSN, LPN, RN · Mar 27

This is so sad. I feel so bad for both the deceased, and a fellow nurse. As an ICU nurse who has worked night shifts for nearly seven years. While acknowledging the gravity of the situation and the profound loss it represents, I can't help but reflect on the unique challenges that nurses like us face daily.

Night shift nursing can be extraordinarily demanding, often requiring us to push through long hours that can stretch beyond the scheduled time. Whether it's a patient in crisis, staffing shortages, or the need to run errands after a shift, many of us have found ourselves functioning on limited sleep. It's not a situation we enter willingly, rather, it's a reflection of the pressures inherent in our roles.

This case raises important questions about how our healthcare system fails to support those on the front lines. Nurses deserve more robust support structures that prioritize our well-being, such as adequate staffing, improved schedules, and resources aimed at managing fatigue effectively. Understanding that we are human too, with limitations and vulnerabilities, is crucial in conversations about accountability and safety.

amason2021, CNA · Mar 31

B52 said:

When I worked night shift, I kept the same sleep schedule on my off days. That's the only way I could function. When I switched to a new job with daytime hours I was ecstatic. I would have to be desperate to do 7p-7a again.

Same here. At the facility I left, 6 pm to 6 am. After two weeks, I couldn't do it. Apart from bed checks every two hours, and popping people up for breakfast, I couldn't take much of all the down time(among other issues at that facility). But I got lucky at a facility in the city where I was born and raised initially : five days a week, 8 hours, dayshift, lovely staff, lovely facility lovely residents( for the most part) and I work weekends I don't have my step kid. I couldn't refuse the offer, even tho I make a dollar less. But it's worth it.

DallasRN · Apr 1

Elizabeth Bloing said:

I don't think being awake for 17 hours is unusual.
t

to o many people cannot understand that some one that works nights needs to sleep during the day. Meetings and inservices are scheduled for mid day. Family calls, etc.

Being awake 17 hours isn't unusual. However, being awake for 13-14 of those hours with the added stress of nursing is a different ballgame, IMO. On your feet, go-go-go, praying you don't make med errors, multiple people firing questions at you non-stop (families/patients/doctors/other nurses and HCP's), often no opportunity to sit down and eat (peanuts and cheese on the go doesn't make for a dinner break). All of that and more coupled with inability to actually rest during the day...as I sit here right now, the landscapers are 3-4 feet from my window with their blowers and motors. Phone calls all day and even if friends/family respect your need for sleep, spammers don't. Dr's office calling to confirm...the list goes on. And most people don't want to turn off their phone for fear of missing call from kids/school, or their alarm, etc.

And yes, meetings/inservices are frequently scheduled during the day but when I worked nights years back, those occurrences were the least of my concerns. Nothing would ever convince me to return to nights.

DallasRN · Apr 1

CurlyInScrubs said:

This is so sad. I feel so bad for both the deceased, and a fellow nurse. As an ICU nurse who has worked night shifts for nearly seven years. While acknowledging the gravity of the situation and the profound loss it represents, I can't help but reflect on the unique challenges that nurses like us face daily.

Night shift nursing can be extraordinarily demanding, often requiring us to push through long hours that can stretch beyond the scheduled time. Whether it's a patient in crisis, staffing shortages, or the need to run errands after a shift, many of us have found ourselves functioning on limited sleep. It's not a situation we enter willingly, rather, it's a reflection of the pressures inherent in our roles.

This case raises important questions about how our healthcare system fails to support those on the front lines. Nurses deserve more robust support structures that prioritize our well-being, such as adequate staffing, improved schedules, and resources aimed at managing fatigue effectively. Understanding that we are human too, with limitations and vulnerabilities, is crucial in conversations about accountability and safety.

Every word you wrote was well said. Thank you!

CurlyInScrubs, ASN, BSN, LPN, RN · Apr 2

DallasRN said:

Every word you wrote was well said. Thank you!

I really appreciate that. Thank you so much!

nursingstudent061985, BSN · Apr 15

Night shift nursing is exceptionally challenging, often demanding that we endure extended hours beyond our scheduled shifts

12-Hour Shifts Led to Fatal Crash

Full Story → Metro Atlanta

The real question that lingers is, is this fair and just?