Reference no: EM132469782

Lori is a new nurse who completed orientation 2 weeks ago. Her current schedule is two 12-hour and two 8-hour midnight shifts each week. Her 8-hour shifts are on Thursday and Friday and her 12-hour shifts on Saturday and Sunday. As she arrives for her last shift on Sunday, she is faced with having to take extra patients because two nurses are out with the flu. By the end of her shift on Monday morning, three-day shift nurses have also called in sick, and she is next in line for a mandatory overtime shift. She is already tired and now worries that she will make a mistake. Lori complains to the charge nurse, who tells her that there is nothing she can do.

Does the charge nurse have the authority to make Lori work an extra shift?

Was this an appropriate decision on the part of the charge nurse based on the work environment and patient safety? Why or Why not?

What alternative solutions could be proposed?

Discuss how the Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals might be negatively affected by Lori's lack of sleep. Cite a scholarly reference to support your response.