24-Hour Shifts for Nurses in North Bay Hospital – A Safety Concern?

What’s Happening At The Hospital?

There’s something unusual happening at North Bay Hospital. Nurses are being asked to work 24-hour shifts. That’s an entire day, without a break! It’s a stressful situation for the nurses and a dangerous one for the patients.

The Reason For Long Shifts

Why are nurses working these long hours? It’s simple, the hospital doesn’t have enough staff. They are struggling to find enough nurses to cover all the shifts. So, they are asking the nurses if they have to work longer and longer hours.

The Dangers of Fatigue

But here’s the problem. When people are tired, they make mistakes. And in a hospital, mistakes can be life-threatening. Research studies have shown that tired nurses are more likely to make errors in patient care.

What Happens When Nurses Are Tired?

Think about it. Nurses have to give out medication, monitor vital signs, and respond to emergencies. They need to be alert to do their job well. But after a 24-hour shift, they must be exhausted. And that’s when mistakes can happen.

The Impact on Patient Care

Patients in the hospital are often very sick. They rely on nurses to take care of them. If their nurse is tired and makes a mistake, it can put their health at risk. It’s a scary thought, isn’t it?

The Nurses’ Union Speaks Out

The nurses’ union is not happy about this situation. They say that the hospital is putting patients at risk by forcing nurses to work for 24 hours straight. They are calling for the hospital to hire more nurses and to limit the length of shifts.

What Does The Hospital Say?

The hospital says they are doing their best. They are trying to hire more nurses, but it’s not easy. There is a shortage of nurses and it’s hard to find people who are qualified to do the job. But they promise they are working on it.

The Bottom Line

Nurses are vital to our healthcare system. They take care of us when we are sick and they work hard to help us get better. But forcing them to work 24-hour shifts is not the answer. It puts both the nurses and the patients at risk.

Conclusion – A Hot Take

Medical errors are terrifying. They’re even more so when they might be due to an overtired nurse on a 24-hour shift. It’s time for a change. The health of patients is at stake and so is the safety and wellbeing of our hardworking nurses. North Bay Hospital needs to address this issue head-on. They should hire more nurses, reduce their shift lengths, and ensure that every patient receives the best possible care. Because at the end of the day, patient safety should always be the top priority.

Original Article: https://cupe.ca/24-hour-shifts-nurses-north-bay-hospital-puts-patients-risk