Resistance to change - Research Paper Example

). They usually have three shifts a week and many nurses are pleased with such schedule, because they have much time to have a rest and devote to their families. Nurses have four free days after three working days and are able to get acquainted with all their patients and learn about their problems. However, last time this schedule was widely discussed as there are a lot of doubts appeared around it (Reid, and Dawson, 2000). The question is if a person is biologically capable of working uninterruptedly during 12 hours and if this work can bring positive results (Are 12-hour shifts safe?). The trouble is that 12 consecutive hours of work make a person physically and emotionally exhausted (Reid, and Dawson, 2000).

At the end of the working period a nurse inevitably becomes less attentive, slow and loses the ability to take fast decisions that is extremely important in nursing profession. Moreover, some nurses prefer not to waste time even for a break to have some meal. Many nurses consider this to be unnecessary. Now many scholars who study this issue call such way of life “a way to disaster” (Are 12-hour shifts safe?). According to Reid and Dawson, “Notable reductions in neurobehavioural performance during shift work and particularly night work have long been recognized.

These reductions in performance are thought to be the result of both the sleep disruption associated with shift work3 and the circadian rhythm of performance” (Reid, and Dawson, 2000). In order to maintain physical ability to work, nurses often drink coffee. The profession of a nurse is included in top ten professions, which consume coffee excessively (Are 12-hour shifts safe?). However, excessive coffee consumption can lead to very bad consequences such as increased excitability and dream abnormality.

If to remember that nurses usually do not have much time to sleep, these abnormalities may result in more serious diseases. Thus, 12 hours shifts schedule is harmful not only for patients but for nurses itself (What are 12-hour shifts good for?). Despite all these factors, many nurses become irritable, when they are told that it would be better to change their schedule from 12 hours shift to 8 hours shift (Are 12-hour shifts safe?). They like their 12 hours shifts schedule and want to have many consecutive free days to devote them to their families.

“"I prefer 12-hour shifts because I am forced to be diligent about my sleep. Very early in my career, I worked 8-hour night shifts -- it was way too easy to keep postponing my bedtime." Another nurse believes that "8-hour shifts are harder because you have stay up 5 nights a week rather than just 3 nights." (cited in Stokowski, 2013). 8 hours shift five times a week seems unsuitable for nurses, thus many of them are against such change in their schedule (Are 12-hour shifts safe?). Those nurses who are over 55 years old are not against the change in schedule.

It is difficult for them to work for 12 consecutive hours because of their age (Reid, and Dawson, 2000). Thus they want to have fewer working hours a day. Reid and Dawson state: “The combined effect of 12 hour shifts and age may result in greater reductions in performance of older than younger workers. If this is the case then there may be serious implications for worker productivity and safety. Considering the increase in the number of older shift workers currently employed and the prediction that this will continue to increase in the future,