Is There A Relationship Between 12-Hour Shifts and Job Satisfaction in Nurses?

Alabama Nurse,  Jun-Aug 2004  by Day, Gwendolyn R

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Abstract

The aim of the non-experimental, cross sectional study was to measure the level of job satisfaction of nurses who were working 12-hour shifts. Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in five hospitals, located in the metropolitan area of a southwestern city in Alabama, were asked to complete an anonymous 12-hour shift job satisfaction questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of two sections (A and B). section A consisted of nine socio-demographic items, and section B consisted of 20 positively stated items that were answered utilizing a five-point Likert scale. The questionnaire addressed the effects of time allocation for completion of nursing care, staffing of nursing units, impact of 12-hour shifts on nurses' lifestyle, and morale of nurses.

Problem Statement and Purpose

The problem statement for this study was: Is there a relationship between 12-hour shifts and job satisfaction in " nurses? The purpose of this study was to identify problem areas that effect job satisfaction in nurses, particularly shift length. The goal of the researcher was that when the results of the study were disseminated, it would help to enhance the quality of nursing care, aid in the recruitment of nurses, and increase job satisfaction in nurses.

Review of the Literature

A study by Bloodworth, Lea, Lane, & Ginn (2001) was conducted to assess whether changing a nursing shift pattern to incorporate 12-hour shifts would have positive effects for patients and staff in a ward environment. The results showed that the new shift pattern offered benefits for patients through improved communication, increased continuity of care and more content staff. The study illustrated the potential a new nursing shift pattern involving 12-hour shifts has for patient care, we well as for staff job satisfaction and efficient management.

Fountain, Curzio, & Hunt (1996) found that the requirement to ensure that practice is evidence based means that all aspects of the structure, process, and outcome of nursing care need to be subjected to critical review. This report attempted to do that in regard to the 12-hour shift pattern. The report revealed that the 12-hour shifts are being introduced by an increasing number of managements, a practice which has raised concerns since there is some evidence that 12-hour shifts affect the amount of care patients receive, and the impact these might have on the quality of care.

Research Design, Data Collection, and Methodology

Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) working in five hospitals located in the metropolitan area of a southwestern city in Alabama, were asked to complete an anonymous 12-hour shift job satisfaction questionnaire. The questionnaire addressed the effects of time allocation for completion of nursing care, staffing of nursing units, impact of 12-hour shifts on nurses' lifestyle, and morale of nurses. Seven-hundred questionnaires and consent forms were delivered to the hospitals by the researcher and disseminated from the nursing service office. Upon completion, the researcher collected the questionnaires. Confidentiality of the participants was maintained.

Data Analysis

The collected data was input into a computer and statistically analyzed utilizing an Excel software system. All data was checked for errors before entering the information into the system. The information was analyzed using percentages, frequencies, and means.

Seven-hundred questionnaires and consent forms were distributed to Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) at five hospitals. Three-hundred and thirty-six questionnaires and consent forms were returned, the socio-demographical data reported showed that 87% of the participants were Registered Nurses and 9% were Licensed Practical Nurses, and there was no data on 4% (Fig. 1). Seventy-four percent were employed fulltime, while 9% were employed part-time, and there was no data on 17%. Thirty-four percent worked in Medical/Surgical area, 18% in Intensive Care Unites (ICU) and Coronary Care Units (CCU), 8% in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN), and 8% in Pediatrics. Twenty-eight percent reported their work area as other, and there was no data on 4%. sixty-nine percent of the participants worked 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. shift, 24% worked 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift, 3% reported other, and there was no data on 4%. The gender of the participants was 88% female, 7% male, and there was no data on 5%. The largest percentage ' of age range of participants was ages 30 to 39, which was 33%. Twenty-three percent of the participants were ages 20 to 29, 22% were 40 to 49, 15% were 50 to 59, 3% were 60 to 69, and there was no data on 4%.

In consideration of marital status, 57% were married, : 28% were single, 7% reported other, and there was no data on 8%. Family obligations showed that 39% of participants had no children in the household, 11% had pre and school age children, 9% had preschool age children, 32% had school age children, and there was no data on 9%.