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Ambulatory Oncology Nurses Weigh in About 12-Hour Shifts
Terri Jabaley1, Janet Bagley, Brian Beardslee
1Author Affiliations: Clinical Inquiry Specialist (Dr Jabaley), Associate Chief Nurse (Ms Bagley), Oncology Nurse Navigator (Mr Beardslee), and Director (Dr Hammer), The Phyllis F. Cantor Center for Research in Nursing and Patient Care Services, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
Background:
Studies conducted in hospital settings have associated negative clinical outcomes with 12-hour shifts. Despite this, 12-hour shifts are common in nursing and popular among nurses. Little is known about outcomes associated with 12-hour shifts in ambulatory care settings.
Objective:
A mixed-methods, quality improvement project was conducted in a large, ambulatory cancer center to evaluate oncology nursing staff perspectives on 12-hour shift work.
Methods:
One hundred ambulatory oncology nurses completed surveys and 11 participated in focus group interviews.
Findings:
Nurses expressed predominately positive perspectives about 12-hour shift work in ambulatory oncology care.
Conclusions:
Ambulatory oncology nurses perceived benefits to quality, safety, and satisfaction for both nurses and patients related to 12-hour shifts. Further evaluation of patient, nurse, and organizational outcomes unique to ambulatory settings is essential for nurse executives in formulating data-driven staffing plans. The incorporation of 12-hour shifts should be considered.
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