Working hours favor people differently. There are those who work best at night, and others who do their best work at the crack of dawn. The same way others can catch a nap on any afternoon, and those who find it hard to sleep while the sun is out. We are different people; therefore, our preferences are different.

The schedules for the day and shift are shared with the nurses and most of the time, they pick their own shifts. Prioritizing the times and dates that work best for them. Therefore, no nurse should be paid more than the other except when covering an extra shift, working overtime or they simply have better qualifications. In such a case it is based purely on merit.

During this time, it is justifiable to pay more but not become of the time of day. In addition to that, nurses receiving training on how to respond to shifts and workplace etiquette. Before signing up for the job they are aware of the working conditions and agree to them without duress. This makes it easier for the employers when nurses are expected to cover the night shift, and it is not an excuse to ask for more pay. Although, you can ask for a change in your shift or negotiate with a co-worker to suit your needs.

When it comes to working the night shift, a balance needs to be established so that nurses do not also experience burn out. It is good to balance because it also establishes a work-life balance. A parent is able to take their kids to school, nurses can also enjoy social activities during the day. Attend festivals, visit friends and family.

Maintaining a routine, whether it’s the day or night shift it is good to maintain it because it will help you establish a good sleeping routine and keep you healthy. When you maintain a daily schedule your body also adjusted to your night shift routine. Sometimes the night shift can come with its disadvantages. You may find yourself drinking too much coffee, or binge eating and binge-watching as patients sleep. This is an unhealthy lifestyle, and this kind of activity or lack thereof can lead to the shift work sleep disorder.

When you do work that is detrimental to your health, it is good to address it before it becomes worse but better to avoid it altogether. Therefore, when choosing the night shift, it is good to make sure that it aligns with your health goals to be able to perform your job well. Sometimes you work in a role that costs you more than the job. Overworking, or working in a role that costs you your health, it may be better not to take the job at all.

When you are a daytime worker it is easy to take sleep for granted and sleep later each night only to wake up tired. Fatigue is a problem at work. When you are fatigued you cannot work properly because your body is not at its prime level. It may also lead to other health issues because fatigue can, in fact, become a medical issue if you do not remedy the problem through sleep and better self-care. When working rotating shifts, be sure to make it constant as well. This allows your mind and body to get used to the routine and adapt accordingly.

The working hours of a nurse typically run between 36-40 hours a week. On average an American registered nurse earns about $32 an hour with a median annual income of about $67,000. Meaning per week they receive about $1000. It can be a rewarding career if done the right way. Hospitals do offer nurses pay for overtime, or as a bonus. During overtime hours, the pay per hour is higher and for those who are eager to make more, this is a good opportunity. This is the only time when it should qualify when done responsibly.

Should cost-efficiency savings even come into the equation in life or death situations?

Trauma stations at a hospital are very important. If treated with negligence or oversight, even bureaucracy it can cost someone their life. This, however, should never be the case. As a hospital is put in place, and staffed with trained lifesavers, saving a life should come before anything else. If the value for human life is out first, then that means the people who are responsible and accountable for the trauma unit will always put people first. Putting people first means being efficient in every sense.

There are procedures put in place on how to best respond to trauma patients as fast as humanly possible to save their lives. This means following a drill. Similar to the way firefighters respond. It also means that the best people are on sight and on call whenever they are needed. This also means that there is a special communication policy that is followed to deal with trauma patients, and that does not mean settling the bill first before admission for inpatient.

Such behavior is ludicrous because a critical patient can die while waiting for a relative to make the deposit or access to their funds are allocated and so forth. Accidents happen at any time on any given day, and this also includes Sunday. Most financial institutions are closed on a Sunday and if a hefty amount is needed to sort the bill, some of these procedures need to take place in the presence of a bank manager or for next of kin of the account to appear in person.

Keeping that in mind, money should never come before a life. The vocational training of doctors and nurses does not permit that it should be in that order. Cost efficiency should not into the equation for life and death. Unless new medical equipment can be purchased to make treatment better and cost-effective for both staff and patients. To help organize for a more efficient trauma unit a team leader(s) should be put in place.

TEAM LEADER

For example, the head trauma surgeon can be accountable for the way the trauma unit is being run. He can also delegate duties and clear other doctors and nurses he deems necessary to attend to the most critical patients. He can also train the main trauma team, on how to respond in cases of emergency to save time and make the process streamlined and efficient.

With help from other doctors, he can assemble a team, that already has the know-how and experience with dealing with trauma to respond quickly and be able to improvise when needed. Such doctors tend to be military and disaster relief doctors who have spent time in the field dealing with victims of traumatic events.

PATIENT FIRST

This should always be the policy. If it has not been revised, the hospital policy needs to take on a more human approach in special cases to recognize the profitability is saving the lives of needy patients, before securing the cheque.

EQUIPMENT

The best equipment should be on standby. The most effective should be in this unit to attend to those who need it most. Not that it is never in use unless it is a trauma case. No. In fact, it should be in use for all the patients who need it dearly, but when a fast response is needed, having it close by saves time and they get first priority. This all serves up as part of being efficient.

COST

Atraumatic unit should look at cost, yes. However, it can be done second. After treatment has been delivered and the patients are in stable conditions. In-house accountants and insurance dealers can look into the finances of the victims to establish a payment channel, so that the hospitals are able to continue running, to serve others.

Introduction

For a long time, people of color have been mistreated and overlooked. They have been cast as being successful in only the entertainment and sports industry. People of color have been overlooked for bigger and better positions for decades, because their superiors believe that they are not good enough for the positions of manager, doctor, partner and the liked for decades now. For people of color, it is more than just about breaking the glass ceiling, they need to cross the cultural barrier as well, and that includes racial discrimination at the workplace.

Racial Discrimination In Nursing Profession

Unfortunately, racial discrimination does not start at the corporate level. It begins at the admissions office in college. It is a widely known fact that people of color have a lower acceptance rate to Ivy league schools and college in general. Not because they are lacking in skills or smarts. But because admissions administrators and boards favor white students over non-white applicants. This is a problem that the Obama administration tried to curb through the that the Trump administration has recently made a move to eradicate and reduce the little advantage Obama had secured for ethnic students to access high-quality education.

As a result, fewer ethnic students make it into pre-med and med class to graduate as doctors and nurses. Every graduate is an achievement to be celebrated in the ethnic communities. This means that, by reversing the Obama administration laws that made the admissions process in schools an even playing field, the new laws will keep the process at an unequal and unfair advantage for white students. Making the workforce for the nurses at a higher percentage for more white nurses as compared to non-white nurses.

This has negative effects that can be seen in patients who prefer t have white doctors attend to them instead of a non-white. In the same case, they would also prefer white nurses because of a misconception that the non-whites are not as qualified. Many a time the patients may deny it, but It comes down to the color of their skin. In another scenario, nurses of an ethnic background may feel isolated and lonely being the only one on their team or shift being a person of color. It can be difficult to relate with people of a different background who do not share the same experiences, heritage or history as you.

More than that, being the only different one it is easier to be singled out for harder tasks, or unwanted shifts that to be thrown your way. Collaborating with others can be difficult in an unfriendly environment. The workplace then becomes a place full of tension and stress, rather than a fulfilling atmosphere for vocational work to take place. This ultimately results in a high turnover for people of color, who are often put in uncomfortable situations both at work and in a society that pushes them to relinquish their jobs for peace of mind and seek better opportunities.

Racial discrimination in nursing is a factor. The perception is that only people of color can or should work as nurses because it is a job secondary to a doctor. A caregiver is expected to be black or Hispanic. When the roles are reversed, some patients are surprised or taken aback even. This shows that the level of discrimination does not only exist in the industry but it has also become a social norm. Sometimes, patients make derogatory requests like “I don’t want colored nurses in my room”. The hospitals are then forced to abide to please the patients and protect personnel from potentially a volatile patient.

This goes two ways, one the patient fails to receive sufficient care in the event a ‘colored nurse’ is the only one available, and the second is the nurse walks around with a heavy heart from racial discrimination and prejudice in the workplace. Serving up a negative impact for all parties involved.

How does having a friendly face in hospital help?

A friendly face is good to see anywhere. Whether you are walking in the street or using public transport. Even when someone bumps into you, a friendly smile and an apology quickly smooth out the what could have been an angry altercation. A smile is the best medicine. Scientifically, it has been proven that certain gestures send messages to the brain that ultimately ‘cheat it’ to respond differently from how you are actually feeling.

If you smile long enough, your nerves eventually relax and you can enjoy the moment. Stand or sit in a power pose to exude confidence, and start feeling confident. Smiling has several benefits and one of them is to improve mood. When working in a hospital, it is easy to feel miserable surrounded by sickness and seeing suffering. However, a kind smile can be a smile of assurance that things will get better. For patients and nurses who experience anxiety and feelings of depression, a smile is on way to feel better.

Lower Blood Pressure & Stress Reliever

A smile can help lower blood pressure. This is related to negative feelings of stress and depression among others that can cause your blood pressure to spiral. High blood pressure is directly related to how you feel and smiling can elevate a bad mood. When it comes to patients who are facing chronic illness, those who may it be in pain or having mental challenges, take time to talk to them. Cracking a funny joke makes both of you feel better, even if it is just to forget your problems at the moment.

As expressed above, smiling is a stress reliever. Smile until you feel those endorphins spread through your body and cause a genuine smile to appear on your face. There is a saying that goes, ‘if it not okay, it is not the end’. As a nurse, it is always good to have an open friendly face when communicating. It lets patients know that they will recover well.

Better Relationships

At any given time, a moody person with negative comments does not receive a lot of positive feedback. There are people who are more patient with others and they could be more willing to accommodate such people. However, in a hospital, a negative comment, reply or attitude can easily delay recovery or worsen a patient’s condition. Smiling improves relationships between co-workers and doctor/nurse-patient confidentiality. Overall, the patients are willing to be more honest and open with a friendly nurse or doctor who has a positive attitude.

Stronger Immune

Doctors also believe that smiling and having a positive attitude is key it a stronger immune system. It is clear being miserable and having a negative attitude can lead to depression and suicidal thoughts. While depression Is a clinical disorder, it would be helpful to avoid falling into a depression by having a positive attitude, irrespective of the circumstances. As a result, it can also aid in pain relief. Try laughing instead of crying the next time you stub your toe on a stool. You may not feel the pain as acutely.

Longer Life

It turns out the elixir for life is a smile. You do not need to find an alchemist to have a happy healthy life. Just smile and keep a positive attitude. It is easier said than done when you are faced with a life-threatening disease or are in chronic pain. However, having a positive attitude even in the most trying times has helped many people live longer solely through their fighting spirit and positive mentality.

It is also good to note that, when you are positive more people are attracted to you. They are attracted to kindness, generosity and happiness, all that radiates from having a smile on your face. It is possible that the bubbliest nurse and doctor are the ones most highly sought after in the wards by patients.