Are 12-hour shifts good for nurses?

Health and well-being Research supports that 12-hour shifts can negatively impact a nurse’s health. Among the adverse effects include cognitive anxiety, insomnia, muscular-skeletal disorders, and role stress. Nurses who work long shifts are more prone to anxiety and depression.

How do nurses survive 12-hour shifts?

Tips for working 12-hour shifts Take your breaks as best you can. Pack healthy snacks. Keep non-work plans to a minimum on your workdays. If you are working night shifts, invest in blackout curtains to help you sleep during the day.

Why did nursing go to 12-hour shifts?

Twelve-hour nursing shifts began in the 1970s and caught on; nurses liked working fewer days, and hospitals found that it made scheduling easier because they could assign fewer shifts per nurse.

Are 12 hour shifts too long?

One of the most significant cons of 12-hour shifts is worker fatigue. Workers may have a difficult time remaining alert throughout their shift and working several long shifts in a row can disrupt sleep. By the third or fourth day of 12-hour shifts, a worker may be overly tired and far less productive.

What are the benefits of working 12 hour shifts?

Learn more about 12-hour shifts

  • More days off.
  • Long weekends.
  • Fewer consecutive days worked.
  • Less commuting required.
  • Improved family and social life.
  • Improved morale.
  • More frequent “recuperation” or “recovery” days.
  • Better use of vacation time.

Is it unhealthy to work a 12-hour shift?

Of the three studies that looked at the relationship between 12-hour shifts and nurses’ overall wellbeing, all three found that 12-hour shifts had a negative effect on the general health of nurses, including problems with cognitive anxiety, musculoskeletal disorders, sleep disturbance, and stress.

Why do nurses work 12 hours instead of 8?

Longer shifts promise less patient turnover Instead of three or more nurses attending to a patient in the span of one day, only two are needed with 12-hour shifts. Less handoffs between nurses mean less reports and less chances for miscommunication and possible error.

Is working 12 hour shifts worth it?

General Advantages of 12-Hour Shifts This can be helpful for continuity as well as quality. Twelve-hour shifts may allow some companies to hire fewer people, depending on the circumstances. This small staff reduction can be extremely helpful for companies.

How do I survive my first 12 hour shift?

Tips on surviving a 12-hour shift

  1. Pack your food and eat right.
  2. Get enough rest.
  3. Use your breaks wisely.
  4. Take smart supplements.
  5. Make friends at work.
  6. Plan for vacation.
  7. Adjust your regular days off.