Why do hospitals still have day/night rotations?

meandragonbrett · Feb 6, 2008

Typically people who do D/N rotations do it because they still want to work days also, but they don't have enough senority to work straight days.

mianders, RN · Feb 6, 2008

The hospitals in our area do not rotate shifts. You usually work 7a-7p or 7p-7a. There are a few places that still do 8 hour shifts but that is more the exception than the norm. I am suprised that rotating shifts are done anywhere. I agree it would be hard to adjust to.

caliotter3 · Feb 6, 2008

Before entering nursing I worked in a profession where rotating shifts was the norm. I read a study concerning this practice and the negative effects on workers. It stated, that as a minimum, people should remain on one shift for three weeks at a time and that shifts should rotate backwards, i.e., night to PM to day. I talked to my manager about this and he laughed. Apparently, he didn't care since he was no longer subject to rotating shifts himself.

I think the institutions you mention keep this policy because they don't want to change a longstanding practice and because it is easier than getting employees to cover all the shifts.

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 6, 2008

1. Many hospitals would not be able to find enough people to work the night shift if they didn't mandate that people take a few turns at it. There simply aren't enough people who want to work straight nights in some areas.

2. Some people like rotating shifts -- IF they have a schedule that suits them. Few people like switching back and forth frequently. However, many people like working more than one shift. When I was a staff nurse, I worked 4 weeks of days followed by 4 weeks of nights, etc. I really liked that type of rotation. I've also had 2 jobs where I worked mostly days, but worked a few nights each month. I liked that as well.

3. It promotes greater cooperation and colleagiality among the staff. You get less "night shift vs the day shift" politics when most of the staff works 2 shifts and understands that both shifts have their problems. When everyone works the same shift all the time, it promotes the development of cliques and a feeling that "our shift works harder than their shift" that contributes to a negative work environment.

I think it all depends on how the rotations are structured. It can be done well -- but it can also be done badly. A place that does it badly would probably do "all straight shifts" badly, too. Each scheduling pattern has its advantages and disadvantages and a good employer can make either one work well or be a disaster.

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2008

I'm still a nursing student, but I've always been wondering: why is it still (or was it ever) necessary for many hospitals to schedule nurses (esp. new grads) for day/night rotations? I was a night PCT in an ER before going to nursing school, and saw/heard about the ill effects that day/night rotations had on some of the staff there. In theory, it might be a way for nurses to share the responsibility of doing night shifts, but I doubt it's preferable to permanent nights in terms of circadian rhythm and life disruption. How can anyone have a life outside of work (other than their family) if their schedule changes constantly from week to week? What have people's experiences been? I already did a search for other threads, but there were only two that I found with only a few replies each. Any input into this issue would be appreciated. Thanks in advance,
The Edog

I worked at a place that made us rotate in the same week. It was impossible to have any type of life other than working or sleeping - I also had three young children at the time and was lured into a job with a prestious university hospital and a juicy sign on bonus.

I've learned my lesson, fulfilled my contract and work 3 12 hour day shifts at a community ER - and am as happy as I can be.

Blee

nursingmarieassociat · Feb 6, 2008

I work a day/night rotation. I do 2 weeks of one shift, then switch to the other. I hate it. My body can't get use to switching back and forth. It does make you appreciate each shift, because I get a different aspect from each one and a different learning experience. I currently work on a telemetry unit, but I think my heart is at Home Health. But I am a new nurse, going on 7 months experience, and I wanted that hospital experience. Even though I have worked 3rd shift at other jobs, I still can't get used to staying up all night.

rph3664 · Feb 6, 2008

I work with a woman whose husband is a maintenance worker for a dam, through the Army Corps of Engineers. All of their employees do 2 weeks on 1st, 2 weeks on 2nd, and 2 weeks on 3rd, so it's not just nurses who do this sort of thing.

He can handle it, but a lot of people can't. I found out while waitressing around age 20 that I cannot do third shift.

caliotter3 · Feb 6, 2008

Another disadvantage to working rotating shifts is that it makes it impossible to have a second job. Creating a mirror rotation with another employer is not something that everyone can do.

edogs334 · Feb 6, 2008

Thanks for the helpful replies everyone- much appreciated. Maybe working a day/eve/night rotation (w/4 weeks of each shift) wouldn't be so bad, but like I said, I just can't imagine doing the 2 weeks of days/2 weeks of nights pattern. Hopefully, I'll find a hospital that has reasonable schedules new grads when I graduate (even if I have to work nights again).

Nicky30, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2008

I guess I have something different to add.

In Australia (at least places I know of) we still work 8 hour shifts. Where I am employed they are 7-1530 (early) 1300-2130 (late) and 10hour (night) 2100-0730.

I have worked all three shifts in a fortnight and find the practice not unusual (it's been like that for years). I don't work a full-time roster anymore I am just exhausted. Late one day and early the next are really painful (lucky that just got changed as lates used to finish at 2300).

I don't know how 12hour shifts would work (how do you guys fit anything in?) Ok maybe 3 shifts a week sounds pretty good, but why did it change to 12 hours? Was it supposed to be for the benefit of the nurses and their circadian rhythms or was it to get rid of one shift altogether thereby reducing the number of staff required and ultimately reducing costs?

Correct me if I am wrong I am only speculating I really have no idea.

Nicky.