Does it Come as a Surprise that Nurses Prefer Twelve-Hour Shifts?
Twelve-hour nursing shifts have become the norm, 60% in non-ICUs and 80% in ICUs, much more common than 8-hour shifts, not to mention the 4, 10, or 16-hour shifts. Surprisingly, 86% of the nurses are happy with their schedule!
What are the standard shifts in healthcare?
Nursing shifts usually range from 4 to 16 hours, including 4, 8, 10, 12, and 16-hour shifts. One clinic in Ohio has a “Parent Shift” program that gives experienced nurses with young children the chance to work during the school day in 2 to 6-hour shifts.
Several clinics have also opted for twelve-hour shifts, scheduling seven days on and seven days off, or six on and eight off, but this is not common.
Learn more: The Different Types of Nursing Schedules Explained
What happened? Why don’t nurses work the typical 8-hour work day?
Eighty-four years ago, in 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act established the 8-hour workday by law or 44-hour week and started shortening the nursing shifts as well.
Around 35 years later, in the 1970s, the 12-hour shift reappeared as an approach to management problems and took hold quickly since the nurses also liked the idea of only three or maybe four shifts a week. And the idea stuck.
Now, 50 years later, the 12-hour shift has become the norm, although not the only option. A study of over 22 000 hospital staff registered nurses (RNs) from 577 hospitals showed that 65-80% of the nurses work 12-hour shifts, with the 8-hour shift weighing in at only 14-30%. Moreover, 86% favored their schedule, and 73% had other available work schedules and actively participated in developing their own timetables.
Why do nurses like the 12-hour shift?
Having a three-day workweek sounds great, but it is a double-edged sword.
The Ups and the Downs of the 12-hour Nursing Shifts
Ups
- Only three shifts a week
- Longer breaks between shifts, an option to provide more work-life balance or, in some cases, time for another job
- More continuity with patients, less exchange of patient information from one nurse to the next, and therefore less possible miscommunication about a case among healthcare staff
- The more people involved, the easier it is to get stats and information confused.
- This can result in miscommunication, which may end up affecting the patient in negative ways.
- Fewer commutes
- Fewer days per week, the nurse may have to stay at work to do unexpected overtime, which is often mandatory.
Downs
- The nurse on a 12-hour shift is eventually going to feel utterly exhausted, maybe so tired that they struggle to lift a patient out of bed or listen patiently to a troubled family member.
- That may lead to mistakes and inefficiency, threatening the patient’s and the nurse’s safety.
- Both longer shifts and working overtime are associated with lower quality care (such as less attention to pain control or even medication errors that can be critical or fatal) and more care left undone.
- Burnout, compassion fatigue: Staff nurses who work longer shifts have a higher risk of burnout, although shorter shifts can also entail burnout.
No matter how long the shifts are, the job of a nurse is physically and mentally exhausting, so take into account other factors, as well as tactics to reduce the risks for the patient and the nurse.
- Working nights leads to poorer care quality and safety and more fatigue reported by the nurses.
- The nurse: patient ratio significantly impacts nurse burnout and quality care. The fewer patients per nurse, the less stress and exhaustion, and the more focus, concentration, compassion, and connection with the patients.
- Working part-time nurses report better quality care and patient safety than full-time nurses. You can take a break and find part-time jobs using the Nursa app.
How to Reduce the Risks of Longer Shifts?
Schedule and take 30-minute rest breaks. Please consult with the management to secure their understanding and respect for the breaks, although the timing may need to vary since no one can schedule all the patients’ needs.
Take care of yourself. Get enough sleep and adequate exercise, eat well, find time for things you enjoy, go outside and get some fresh air.
Talk with your family. Let them know what you are going through, laugh with them about an unexpected detail or comment, and help them understand the ups and downs of your work.
Try out your choice of the several available PRN or per diem shifts options near home, see which fits you best and garner the satisfaction of your work using the Nursa app!
FAQs
With eight-hour shifts, nurses have three handoffs in a 24-hour day. Maintaining 12-hour shifts cuts that number to two handoffs. That often means fewer errors and better patient care and outcomes. The longer shifts improve continuity for patients, too as they have the same nurses with them for a longer time.
Why are so many nurses still on 12 hour shifts? ›
Nurses on 12-hour shifts typically work three days a week, and many prefer to run these days consecutively. This four-day gap allows you to recharge and spend more quality time with family and friends. Less commuting. Fewer scheduled days mean less time on the road.
When did nursing switch to 12 hour shifts? ›
Twelve-hour shifts have been a mainstay of nursing schedules since they began as a staffing strategy in the 1970s, but debate continues about their effect on nurses' health and ability to safely care for patients. Studies have examined both aspects of the issue.
What percent of nurses work 12 hour shifts? ›
A study of over 22 000 hospital staff registered nurses (RNs) from 577 hospitals showed that 65-80% of the nurses work 12-hour shifts, with the 8-hour shift weighing in at only 14-30%.
Is working 12 hour shifts bad for your health? ›
Potential injury problems may occur with shiftworkers who have physically demanding jobs. The strain of working such jobs on a 12-hour shift instead of an 8-hour shift could potentially increase physical complaints, such as back problems and carpal tunnel syndrome.
What is the longest shift a nurse can work? ›
Even in states without restrictions, hospitals or medical centers may prohibit nurses from working more than 16 continuous hours for safety reasons. However, it is essential to note that nurses could qualify for overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours per week.
What are the benefits of a 12 hour shift? ›
With 12-hour shifts, shiftworkers have more consecutive days off and more total days off. They report that they are able to get more done at home, take care of more personal business and shopping during the week, and schedule more family and social events.
Why do 12 hour shifts exist? ›
One of the top reasons that nurses give when asked why they prefer to work 12-hour shifts is that it allows for more flexibility. Lumping shifts together allows for longer periods of downtime. Some nurses find it appealing to forgo the “daily grind” and instead limit that hectic pace to just four days each week.
Why do nurses work 12 hour shifts instead of 8? ›
With eight-hour shifts, nurses have three handoffs in a 24-hour day. Maintaining 12-hour shifts cuts that number to two handoffs. That often means fewer errors and better patient care and outcomes. The longer shifts improve continuity for patients, too as they have the same nurses with them for a longer time.
Is it better to work 8 or 12 hour shifts? ›
There may even be advantages to 12 hour shifts in terms of lower stress levels, better physical and psychological wellbeing, improved durations and quality of off duty sleep as well as improvements in family relations. On the negative side, the main concerns are fatigue and safety.
Nurses expend on average 1521 kcals/6364 kJ over a 12-hour shift. 72% of nurses expend enough energy to maintain a healthy body weight if dietary intake does not exceed recommended levels (for females).
Who invented 12 hour shifts? ›
Twelve-hour shifts started in the 1970s when there was a severe nursing shortage. Nurses themselves came up with the idea of 12-hour shifts as a way to solve the problem. They have since become a way of life in hospitals. fewer commutes.
Why are 12 hour shifts so tiring? ›
Working a lengthy shift may disrupt sleeping patterns and leave less spare time for seeing friends, spending time with family, and personal pursuits, making it hard to maintain work-life balance. All this can lead to burnout, stress, and decreased job satisfaction if you don't prioritize your well-being.
What are the negatives of 12 hour shifts? ›
- Inconsistent Sleep Schedule. Rotating between 12-hour shifts may not allow for you to sleep at the same time each day. ...
- Hard to Switch, Cover, or Call Off. When one shift is 12 hours, that's a lot of time to lose or reschedule. ...
- Fatigue - On the Job & Commuting Home. ...
- Limited Social Life on Days Working.
Results Nurses working shifts of ≥12 h were more likely than nurses working shorter hours (≤8) to experience burnout, in terms of emotional exhaustion (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.26; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.46), depersonalisation (aOR=1.21; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.47) and low personal accomplishment (aOR=1.39; 95% CI 1.20 to 1.62).
How do nurses survive 12 hour shifts? ›
Stretching for a few minutes a day helps to keep your joints and muscles loose and flexible. Don't risk your body or safety to get a job done faster. Ask for help or take the time to properly perform a job to avoid hurting yourself. Putting your health first will help you survive 12-hour nursing shifts.
Why don't nurses do 8 hour shifts? ›
eight-hour nursing shifts on patient outcomes can be significant. According to recent research, longer shifts for hospital nurses lead to increased errors, burnout, patient dissatisfaction, and can potentially affect nurse well-being.
How do you survive a 12 hour nursing shift? ›
How To Get Through A 12 Hour Nursing Shift
- Prepare Your Uniform The Night Before.
- Bring Plenty Of Food.
- Stay Hydrated.
- Wear Compression Socks.
- Leave The Unit During Breaks.
- Invest In Comfortable Shoes.
- Stay Busy.
- Be Organised.
Nurses May Sometimes Have More Predictable Work Schedules
While some doctors are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, nurses work in set shifts every week, typically five eight-hour days or three 12-hour days.
