En ny ro med langturnus

Abstract

Extended work shifts of 12 hours or more have become a common scheduling strategy for nurses in several countries, though this is not the case in Norway. There, many managers, nurses, and union representatives have expressed concerns about whether nurses can function effectively while working long shifts. This study thus aimed to examine how long shifts influence nursing outcomes such as stress, continuity, and responsibility in Norwegian nursing homes. Data were collected during in-depth interviews with 16 nurses employed at four different nursing homes who have worked 12–14-hour shifts. Results suggest that long shifts actually reduce stress and increase both work continuity and accountability, though these positive impacts of long shifts occur primarily when all departmental staff work long shifts. Furthermore, fewer shift changes mean more time spent with patients and better communication.

8. Bedre arbeid–familie-balanse med tolvtimersvakter i helsesektoren?

“…Eksempelvis er helgearbeid noe mange ansatte ønsker å unngå, men som ofte er umulig å unngå i helsesektoren, da pasienter har behov for hjelp også i helgene. Med langvakter jobber ansatte flere timer helg når de først jobber helg, og kan derfor få fri flere helger (Ingstad & Amble, 2015). Konflikten knyttet til å ønske å ha fri i helg løses ikke, men den kan reduseres med langvakter.…”

Extended Work Shifts Increase Subjective Pain Complaints Among Cabin Crewmembers, but Not Among Airline Pilots or Healthcare Workers

“…In the European Union, 68% of the workers reported working more than 10 hours/d at least once per month 5 . Combining extended daily working hours followed by several days off, so-called compressed working weeks, has traditionally been practised in the Norwegian offshore sector and within the aviation sector 6,7 . Also in other sectors, such as the healthcare sector, construction sector, and service sector, the use of similar work schedules has increased in recent years, due to production benefits 7 …”

“…5 Combining extended daily working hours followed by several days off, so-called compressed working weeks, has traditionally been practised in the Norwegian offshore sector and within the aviation sector. 6,7 Also in other sectors, such as the healthcare sector, construction sector, and service sector, the use of similar work schedules has increased in recent years, due to production benefits. 7 Sleep disturbances represent one potential risk factor for both MSD and headache.…”

“…6,7 Also in other sectors, such as the healthcare sector, construction sector, and service sector, the use of similar work schedules has increased in recent years, due to production benefits. 7 Sleep disturbances represent one potential risk factor for both MSD and headache. 8,9 Sleep disturbances and shortened sleep are also risk factors for elevated pain sensitivity.…”