Case Study Medication Error Extended shifts and overtime have increased among nurses in hospital settings in recent years due to a shortage of nurses. Errors increase significantly and patient safety can be compromised when nurses work beyond a twelve-hour shift or more than 40 hours per week. Dangerous conditions are created when patient acuity is high, combined with a shortage of nurses and a rapid rate of admissions and discharges. Many nurses today are unable to take regularly scheduled breaks due to patient workload. In units where nurses can self-schedule, sixteen- and twenty-four-hour shifts are becoming more common, which does not allow for recovery time between shifts. There are currently no state or federal regulations that prevent nurses from working excessive hours or mandatory overtime to fill vacancies. This practice by nurses is controversial and potentially dangerous to patients (Rogers, Hwang, Scott, Aiken, & Dinges, 2004). Burnout, job dissatisfaction and stress could be alleviated if adequate staffing levels were in place for patient care. Studies indicate that the higher the nurse-to-patient ratio, the worse the outcome. The nurse manager needs to be aware of adverse reactions that may occur due to nurses working overtime and limits should be established (Ford, 2013). Working with insufficient staff Nurses have a responsibility and duty to provide safe and effective care to every patient. In order for the nurse to cover herself while working understaffed, she must report her concerns to the supervisor. Additionally, the nurse must document and complete the appropriate form regarding safety concerns. It is very important to write down all concerns... in the middle of the paper... in the nurse-patient relationship. References Bae, S. (2012). Nursing overtime: why, how much and under what working conditions? Nursing Economics, 30, 2, 60-71. Retrieved from http://www.nursingeconomics.net/ce/2014/article30026071.pdfBallard, K. (2003). Patient safety: a shared responsibility. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 8, 3. Retrieved from www.nursingworld.org Ford, S. (2013). Exclusive: Nurses feel pressured, understaffed and undervalued. Nursing times. Retrieved from www.nursingtimes.netHughes, R., & Wolfe, Z. (n.d.). Error reporting and disclosure. Retrieved from http://www.ahrq.gov Rogers, A., Hwang, W., Scott, L., Aiken, L., & Dinges, D. (2004). The working hours of hospital staff nurses and patient safety. Health Affairs, 23,202-212. Retrieved from http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/23/4/202.full