---
title: The Hidden Cost of Overtime in Long Term and Post Acute Care
description: Overtime drains your staff, leading to burnout and ultimately turnover. Learn more about the hidden costs of overtime and what senior care providers need to do.
---

[LTC & Senior Living Best Practices & Insights Blog | OnShift ](https://www.onshift.com/resources/blog)

# [The Hidden Cost of Overtime in Long Term and Post Acute Care](https://www.onshift.com/resources/blog/long-term-care-trends-and-issues/the-hidden-cost-of-overtime/)

 Written by [Mike Pumphrey](https://www.onshift.com/resources/blog/author/mike-pumphrey) | Feb 17, 2012 1:27:00 PM

Every nurse in the long-term care or senior living industry has been asked to stay late or cover a shift. And because it is in their nature to help - they do it.

But what’s the result?

As Elizabeth Newman, McKnight’s Senior Editor, stated in her blog [“It’s been a hard day’s day”](http://www.mcknights.com/its-been-a-hard-days-day/article/226494/) there are negative results from working long hours. Researchers are increasingly finding that those who put in the longest hours have higher levels of depression and anxiety. And a 2010 study found that overtime work adversely affects coronary health.  
Overtime in many organizations has become a habit that is tough to break. When a call-off occurs, you need to fill a shift fast, so you get someone on the floor to fill it – resulting in OT.

The impact is much more than financial, it drains on your staff, leading to burnout and ultimately turnover.

There are ways to prevent this from happening. [Learn from Foundation Healthcare who implemented strategic practices](https://www.onshift.com/hubfs/content-library/case-studies/CS003_Foundation_Healthcare_OnShift.pdf) that not only saved them $500,000 in overtime costs but improved their staff satisfaction and employee retention.

It is important to keep your staff happy … because a happy staff provides better care.

[View full post](https://www.onshift.com/resources/blog/long-term-care-trends-and-issues/the-hidden-cost-of-overtime/)

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