Best Shift for a Nurse
"Oh, great. Another double-nighter this weekend," thinks nurse Jan to herself as she copies this month's schedule down on a piece of paper. At the same time, two of her colleagues high-five each other after seeing their 3PM-11PM shifts on the same weekend. "I just love these PM shifts," one of them says. "You got that right," the other replies. "You get up late in the day, do your job, and even have time to spare for a slice of the night life after. It's convenient!"
As they continue on, Jan just shakes her head, saying: "I sure wish I had a few more of those PM shifts."
This, unfortunately, is a slowly but surely growing trend in wards and hospitals everywhere nowadays. Preferences in shifts are slowly becoming apparent especially among the younger generations of health care providers. The occasional grumbling might still be tolerable, but purposefully skipping an undesired shift is already becoming a welcome option for the more unscrupulous workers.
We are looking at three shifts, namely the AM shift that begins at 7 in the morning and ends at 3 in the afternoon, the PM shift from 3 in the afternoon to 11 in the evening, and the night shift, from 11 in the evening to 7 the following morning. Looking at this scheme, it's relatively easy to understand why a staff nurse (if given the choice) would rather have the first two shifts to work in. Younger or newly-hired nurses often tend to prefer morning and afternoon shifts, mostly due to the conveniences they can enjoy before or after their scheduled times. Even among the more senior members of a ward there will always be the occasional gripe towards an untimely graveyard shift.
However, as favored as they may be, the morning and afternoon shifts are never without their own sets of cons. As is the case in any other health care facility, morning shifts are notoriously hectic. In the public hospital setting, this is made painfully true by the torrent of clients for admission, as the vast majority of them are entertained in the morning and early afternoon hours. The presence of head nurses (usually assigned strictly to morning shifts only) may also add pressure and therefore complicate things further for those on the same shift.
Afternoons might fare only a little better. Without the watchful eyes of head nurses, staff members may feel more flexible and less stressed as they go about their duties. The time may be a welcome convenience, but there may be a trade-off in terms of the workload. In some areas, special activities and responsibilities fall squarely on the members of the afternoon shift. These can range anywhere from assisting ICU patients in their personal hygiene routines, to creating the following day's diet list for more that a hundred patients. In many cases, it comes as no surprise that PM shift staff usually clock out hours past their designated time.
As for the ever-dreaded graveyard shift, aside from the apparent disturbance in one's sleep pattern, there really isn't that much else to complain about. Work routines may be a little eased as the staff allow the patients to sleep undisturbed, and doctors usually don't come in to give new orders until the early morning hours. In some cases, nurses go so far as to feel bored, even in the busiest public hospitals.
In the end, one has to realize that there just simply isn't a "best" shift out there. These time schemes, as well as their corresponding workloads and responsibilities, are the product of years upon years of research, refined by experience. One should understand that favoring a particular shift over the others simply doesn't do anyone any good. As a whole, it all boils down to discipline and a proper work ethic. As a nurse, one is expected not only to do the job, but to love doing it at the same time. As has been proven time and time again, knowledge and skills are never enough without the proper attitude. This holds true in all professions, especially for the nurse.
