12-hour and 10-hour Shifts: Pros and Cons of Working 3 or 4 Days a Week

The flexibility of schedules is one of the benefits of practical nursing, regardless of nursing degrees at Illinois level. Nursing is a 24-hour job so nurses can work different typical nursing shifts. Basic patient care doesn’t always stop at 5 o’clock. Many LPNs have the option of working alternate shifts. Many organizations offer nurses eight–, 10– or 12-hour shifts in exchange for additional days off. What are the benefits and disadvantages of spending additional clinical hours in hybrid LPN programs near me (nursing program) by community colleges?

Benefits

Continued Care

Medical integration is among the most enormous benefits of a healthcare team working 12-hour shifts. Instead of having three nurses for 24 hours, there are only two: a night nurse and a day shift nurse. The continuity of medical care with hands-on experience builds confidence among caregivers, patients, and their families in healthcare facilities. This rapport improves outcomes and recovery and reduces medical expenses.

Getting Rid of Verbal Mistakes

The greater the amount of data disseminated, the higher the possibility of miscommunication. The Joint Commission has reported that miscommunications between caregivers cause 80% of all severe medical mistakes. The information transferred may be inaccurate or include omissions that can lead to delays in patient basic care or injuries in clinical sites or long-term care facilities. The risk of miscommunication is minimized when only two nurses transfer the information in healthcare settings.

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Fewer Job Hours

Burnout is a common problem among caregivers. The longer shifts mean more time off for healthcare professionals to spend with their families, attend to their health, or engage in hobbies and leisure diversions. It is critical to renew nurses to be at their most effective when they get back to the job. It is hard to maintain an excellent work-life balance and gain clinical experience. Nevertheless, particular nurses say that working 10- or 12-hour nursing shifts simplifies things.

Disadvantages

Lengthier Hours at Work

Working 10 or 12 hours a day can mean more time off in the week. However, it also means longer work days. A 10- or 12-hour workday can cut into the personal time of those with families. Nurse practitioners may struggle to spend time with their families, attend technical school events, or exercise for practical experience. It can be exhausting for nurses who work during the night typical nursing shifts to come home in the morning from work, sleep during the day, and then wake up and go back to work. The holidays can also be challenging for night shift nurses since they spend most of their day studying or resting.

Burnout/Injury

It can be physically and mentally draining to work in the nursing profession. As more and more patients are treated in a clinical setting for outpatient treatment (requiring more long-term care), the number of hospitalized patients is increasing. The vocational nurses are notorious for running non-stop during their shifts and skipping breaks, such as toilet pauses! Nurses are notorious for running non-stop throughout their shift, skipping breaks (including bathroom breaks!) The inability to take breaks for long periods and a job requiring a lot of time standing can cause physical and mental health exhaustion and injuries.

Errors

The more fatigued the nurse is, the greater the chance of medical error. As stated above, extended shorter shifts and rushed breaks can cause physical and mental exhaustion. Nurses may suffer from mood disorders, reduced productivity, and reduced critical thinking in the healthcare field. This can lead to a nurse making medical errors or failing to perform a crucial task or intervention. Nurses working long shifts must speak up about their needs and ensure they receive uninterrupted, adequate breaks.

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The nursing career is dynamic and offers many options for typical nursing shifts. The career in nursing is dynamic and offers many options for typical nursing shifts. To become a licensed practical nurse and understand a scope of practice by enrolling in online classes of nursing school, nursing students must choose a schedule that suits their needs. They should consider the pros and cons before committing.