Posted 20 June 2023 - 05:00
Posted 20 June 2023 - 05:00
News
Enforced 12-hour shifts link to staff burnout and exhaustion
Nurses who are compelled to work longer shifts experience a poorer work environment, inadequate staffing levels and a higher risk of burnout, study finds
Nurses who are compelled to work longer shifts experience a poorer work environment, inadequate staffing levels and a higher risk of burnout, study finds
Nurses who work longer than eight hours and cannot choose their shifts are at a higher risk of burnout, a study has found.
Overall working conditions worse for nurses on 12-hour shifts
An analysis by nursing lecturers at the University of Southampton also found that staff who work 12-hour shifts are more likely to encounter inadequate staffing levels and poor working environments.
The study, Shift Work Characteristics and Burnout Among Nurses: Cross-sectional Survey, is the first of its kind to examine the impact of long hours and working conditions, including a lack of breaks and night shifts on burnout among nursing staff.
University of Southampton’s lecturer in nursing workforce Chiara Dall’Ora who co-authored the study said: ‘We noticed an association between nurses working 12-hour shifts and a series of adverse features of the work environment. They were more likely to perceive their staffing levels as inadequate, reporting fewer opportunities to take breaks, and less choice over their shifts as well.
‘It seems that they experience worse working conditions all together than those on eight-hour shifts.’
Short-term convenience of a standard 12-hour shift pattern may harm staff retention
Dr Dall’Ora added that often employers choose a 12-hour fixed model as it is easier to manage rather than a rota of mixed shift patterns.
‘Managers have reported that having a mixed rota with people doing different shifts in a 24-hour period can be confusing when allocating work and also means that more staff are needed within one day, as well as there being more handovers,’ she said.
But she warned that although these can be short-term conveniences for the employer, rigid shift patterns could cause burnout and affect staff retention in the long run.
‘We also know that 12-hour shifts are exhausting, and fatigue increases dramatically during the shift,’ Dr Dall’Ora added.
‘Choice or autonomy gives empowerment to the worker and is important when it comes to burnout. The fact that there are instances where there is no choice for staff is concerning.’
Choice and autonomy over shifts may help staff avoid burnout
The study collated almost 1,000 responses to a survey about burnout from nurses in different settings in the NHS, social care and the independent sector.
The authors of the study said: ‘Given the implications of burnout on nurse well-being, retention and patient safety, finding such solutions is imperative.’
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