Where I work we have been getting alot of complaints on 3-11 and 11-7.  Those were my shifts before I was promoted and I feel insulted that after I left as charge nurse now patients are having increased complaints.  I want to hear good things about my shifts.  I need some ideas.  I've changed my hours so I can be there later.  Biggest complaint is call lights not being answered and pain meds not being given..

Having been a charge nurse and supervisor and yes my heart has always been for 3-11 here is/are my suggestion/s.  Begin to look at when pain meds were given last on day shift and try and ascertain if 3-11 is being dumped on, by those who want out the door from day shift.  This happens all to frequently, the nurses and staff on 3-11 are so overwhelmed at the beginning of a shift passing out meds , putting people back to bed or helping them back to bed, fresh post ops, patients returning from procedures or tests, they can never catch up.  Is staffing good enough to handle all the work expected of them?

It's been my experience 3-11 and nights has never been staffed as well as days, yet they do as much as day shift personnel.

Thank all of ya'll for your comments they are appreciated.  I have changed my hours so I can be on the floor later on in the evenings and the complaints have lessened.  I used to work 3-11, 11-7 on the floor as the charge nurse so I know that we get dumped on.. But I also expect that not to be an excuse for not answering call bells or providing adequate patient care. Staffing is not a problem at this time and the workload is a normal 3-11 work load.  We have worked things out to take the load off our nurses. One we have a desk nurse who handles all orders , etc.  There is me, I do all admissions and room preparations.  All that is left is med pass and treatments.  I know that stuff happens and emergency situations come up.  But if we could get everyone to work as a team and if our staff showed a little more caring complaints would continue to decrease.