Shift Work: An Ethical Dilemma Summary

Summary of: “Shift Work: An Ethical Dilemma for Registered Nurses”
Role Transition: Quiz Assignment
Lesmeek Bridgeman
P. Manion RN, BSN, MSN
17 January 2017

After reading “Shift Work: An Ethical Dilemma for Registered Nurses”. I found that I could personally relate to the message that is being discussed in this article. This article caused me to reminisce on a time in my life when I worked as a CNA and suffered from fatigue due to working excessive hours. Through my past experience I can better understand how fatigue can negatively affect an individual’s overall health and well-being. A lack of adequate facility staffing, the desire to help my patients, and maintain loyalty to my employer was the reasons why I allowed myself to become

When I found myself running low on energy during an assigned shift I relied on 5 hour energy drinks, red bull energy drinks, and coffee to get me through my shift. Although these beverages gave me the energy I needed to provide the care my patients required the effects on my body were very negative. After the artificial energy wore off, my body crashed. I became impatient, easily irritated, easily distracted, and lacked drive because I was tired. There were times when I became so physically exhausted after a crash that I could barely walk to my vehicle. Once I did make it to my vehicle I was unable to drive. After working long hours I often found myself sleeping in my vehicle for 2 or more hours in the facility’s parking lot in order to re-energize

The incentives became less and less appealing as my body began to break down. I was beginning to dislike my job and dread going to work because I lacked drive and energy. I decided that I could not do my best if I did not feel my best. When my scheduling manager asked me to pick up extra hours I had to humbly decline her offer. At first I did feel guilty because I knew that she was depending on me but I reached my breaking point. I had to cherish and protect my body so that I could perform at my highest potential. If I had not made the conscious decision to say, “No” to excessive overtime I would’ve become worthless to my patients and my facility. When I put this concept at the forefront of my mind it became a lot easier for me to say no and not feel any regret behind my decision.
This article did an excellent job in explaining the physical sacrifices that nurses make to take care of their patients, promote loyalty, and give support to their employers and co-workers. I believe that it is very important to make sure that we as nurses and healthcare providers are putting as much love and energy into our own well-beings as we do our patients. We should not allow our ethical decisions to be driven by guilt or financial gain. According to the article we are putting our patients and professional license at risk any time we are providing care while