Long shifts for nurses are standard in most hospitals. According to a 2022 study of 577 hospitals, up to 80% of nurses work 12-hour shifts. But just because it’s become the accepted schedule for nursing professionals, that doesn’t necessarily make it the best.
Are 12-hour or longer shifts really working? Here’s what the data says.
Pros of the 12-Hour or Longer Nursing Shifts
While working several hours over the traditional work day certainly has its downsides, some nurses are drawn to the perks of the 12-hour or longer shifts. For one, it offers scheduling flexibility. With just three shifts per week, nurses have more days off than workers in different professions for things like continuing education, family life, and other pursuits. Having several days off — often in a row — allows nurses to have a full reset between shifts.
Fewer work days also mean fewer days for child care for nurses who are parents, which can help to reduce costs. There are also just three days per week to commute, so even a longer ride to and from work might feel more bearable — and less expensive. Some hospitals even offer incentives for taking on less desirable shifts, such as the night shift or weekends.
A 12-hour shift also allows for greater continuity with patients and their families, and minimal exchange of patient information from one nurse to the next. Shorter shifts would require a larger staff of rotating nurses. The more people involved with patient care, the greater the opportunities for miscommunication. Having an uninterrupted workflow and fewer nurses to interface with can often alleviate complexities and streamline duties.
Of course, having longer shifts, and thus fewer nurses, is also an advantage for hospitals and other healthcare organizations. It keeps costs down for factors like hiring and benefits, and with better continuity of care, it can also result in better patient outcomes.
Cons of the 12-Hour or Longer Nursing Shift
The longer shifts are not without its drawbacks, however. Many nurses experience job fatigue from having such long shifts. Over time, this could even lead to burnout, which is defined as feelings of exhaustion, negativity towards one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy. At the end of their shift, an exhausted nurse might struggle to fulfill their duties properly, potentially risking harm to the patient. In nursing, overtime in particular is linked to reduced quality of care.
For nurses who work night shifts, there are also physical effects to consider. Health risks like obesity, circadian rhythm disruption, cardiovascular disease, and chronic pain are elevated for night shift nurses.
Clearly, the 12-hour shift can present challenges for both nurses and healthcare organizations. From diminished patient outcomes to sick employees, the hurdles are concerning.
Overcoming the Challenges of Long Nursing Shifts
While some private practices and outpatient settings may offer traditional workweeks of five eight-hour days, hospitals that require round-the-clock staffing can’t offer this flexibility. But that doesn’t mean the downsides of 12-hour shifts have to be endured.
For nurses, taking allotted breaks during shifts can be helpful for getting a quick recharge. Breaking up shifts with days off will provide longer rest periods, but if the symptoms of burnout are appearing, it may be worth changing shifts. If more desirable working hours aren’t yet available in a current role, per diem nursing jobs can often provide more flexibility.
For hospitals and healthcare organizations, ensuring nurses receive the breaks they’re entitled to is an important step to preventing fatigue and burnout. Additionally, offering benefits such as childcare options, gym memberships, and continuing education may help nurses achieve a healthy work/life balance.
While 12-hour shifts are nothing new for healthcare organizations, workforce shortages and unprecedented burnout rates are novel challenges. If you’re facing difficulties filling NNP roles in your organization, allow us to help. We specialize in expanding the workforce in hospitals by filling their openings with qualified full time or locum professionals. Start your search by scheduling a consultation with Ensearch today.
