The Nurse Work Schedule: 8-Hour vs. 12-Hour Shifts

• Consider the pros and cons to the typical nurse work schedule of eight-hour and 12-hour shifts. 
• Eight-hour shifts can result in decreased errors, less fatigue, and decreased rates of burnout. 
• Twelve-hour shifts can increase work-life balance and continuity of care. 

You’ve probably heard a lot of discussion regarding which work schedule is better for nurses — eight hour or 12 hour.  

There are pros and cons to each. I’ve worked both, and during a mandate, I worked 16-hour shifts. I prefer eight-hour shifts because I like having more time to relax before working again. There’s no right or wrong answer, and it comes down to your personal preference and what works best for your lifestyle. Let’s evaluate the benefits of working each type of shift. 

Benefits of 8–hour Shifts 

According to a 2020 Nursing Open study, many hospitals across the United States have adapted to 12-hour shifts. However, there are still benefits to the eight-hour shift. 

• Decreased errors: Nurses who work eight-hour shifts are less tired and less stressed, which decreases medical errors.  
• Reduced fatigue: Nursing is a demanding profession, both physically and emotionally. Working eight-hour shifts versus 12-hour shifts is likely to reduce fatigue.  
• Decreased Burnout: Working 10 hours or longer as a nurse makes you two-and-a-half times more likely to feel burned out and experience job dissatisfaction. 

Disadvantages of 8–hour Shifts 

The main disadvantage of eight-hour shifts is working more days per week and getting fewer days off. Many nurses who prefer the eight-hour shift would say this is a tradeoff they’re willing to accept.  

Benefits of 12–hour Shifts 

Although there are several benefits to the eight-hour shift, a Human Resources for Health study found that 12-hour shifts are more common. This is due to the continuity of care for patients versus changing nurses every eight hours.  

• Work/Life balance: Nurses who work the longer shifts generally work three days per week, amounting to full-time role at 36 hours a week. This means they get four non-working days to spend with their families or do activities they wouldn’t have time for if they worked shorter shifts and more days per week. 
• Save money: Because the nurse is working fewer days, they are saving money on commuting and transportation expenses.  
• Consistency of care: Some patients appreciate being cared for by fewer nurses. This makes it easier for them to remember who is caring for them. It also allows the nurses to be more familiar with their patients and their needs.  

Disadvantages of 12-Hour Shifts

• Inadequate sleep: Nurses who work the 12-hour shift usually work the three shifts back-to-back, and inadequate sleep between shifts can cause fatigue.  
• Increased errors: As reported by the National Library of Medicine, nurses who work these shifts are more likely to make a medical or documentation error. 
• More likely to get injured on the job: Working longer shifts can affect focus, especially during the last part of the shift, making nurses more susceptible to injuries.  

Tips for Nurses Who Work Long Hours

• Stay hydrated: Water is best. It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of your patients and other responsibilities during your shift and forget to drink. Dehydration can lead to tiredness. Consider setting an alarm to remind you to drink water.  
• Eat healthy: Pack a nutrient-dense meal to keep you energized during your shift. Just like water, getting the proper nutrients will help you stay focused and reduce tiredness. 
• Wear comfortable footwear: Make sure your shoes are sturdy and practical. Ensure the shoes have proper support since you will be wearing them for several hours.  
• Leave the unit during your break: Take your mind off work during your break. This will help you de-stress before you need to finish your shift.  
• Make the most of your time off: This is also important to reduce stress and for self-care. Use your free time to participate in activities you enjoy. 
• Get enough rest: Be sure that before your shift starts, you get plenty of sleep. The night before the start of three days of 12-hour shifts is not the night to go partying or stay up late. 

Other Important Reminders

• Whether you work an eight-hour or a 12-hour shift, it is common to be involved in an activity or have work to complete that requires you to stay past the end of your shift. From my experience, documentation usually keeps nurses after their shift.  
• It’s also possible that a patient has an emergency near the end of your shift, requiring you to stay late.  
• If you work in a facility that operates 24 hours per day and has a nurse mandate policy, you might be required to stay on the job for up to 16 hours. This usually happens if the facility is understaffed, or another nurse can’t show up to their scheduled shift. This ensures proper staff-to-patient ratios. 

As a long-term care nurse, I have experienced many mandates, and it never hurts to prepare for every shift as if you could be mandated. Have childcare options available if needed and pack snacks and other essential items you might need for a 16-hour shift. You’ll be glad you were proactive in the event you are mandated, and this will make the mandate seem a little less terrible.  

The Bottom Line

There are benefits to working each shift and it will depend on your lifestyle and what works best for you. You may want to try working both eight-hour and 12-hour shifts to see which you prefer. Keep the information from this article in mind, and you will be successful regardless of which shift you are working. 

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