Position_Paper_On_Nursing_Mandatory_Overtime

Position Paper On Nursing Mandatory Overtime Mandatory overtime is an increasing problem for nurses working in hospitals. Nursing groups and unions define mandatory overtime as a time when nurses are made to work extra shifts under the threat of being fired or disciplined in some way if they refuse (Lovern, 2001). Nurse managers are demanding nurses work extra shifts, sometimes even four, eight, or sixteen overtime hours. This puts extra strain on the nurses after a tiring shift. This outrages many nurses across the country, and they are taking action against it. Hospital employers are blaming the nursing shortage for the mandatory overtime. Nurses have arguments with the hospitals about whether their reasoning for overtime shifts is valid or not. The national and state governments are taking action and siding with the nurses in many states. They are passing laws and bills demanding that the hospitals stop forcing their employees into mandatory shifts. Nurses believe that the care they give patients is jeopardized when working long shifts. There are some benefits to nurses working overtime but the disadvantages outweigh them. Hospital administrators are constantly stressing the need for mandatory overtime despite what staff nurses believe. “Forcing nurses overtime, nurses, mandatory, nurse, work, nursing, shifts, 2001, care, 2002, time, shift, patients, patient, duclos-miller, working, shortage, hours, hospitals, state, scheduled, safety, passed, laws, act, worked, survey, staff, practice, one, hospital, extra, employees, emergency, believe