As more and more hospitals and other facilities adopt 12-hour nursing shifts, here's a look at the pros and cons of working them, along with a few insider tips and tricks for nurses looking to get the full benefits from the 12-hour lifestyle.
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Pros & Cons of 12-Hour Nursing Shifts
If you’ve never worked a 12-hour nursing shift, what do you need to know? For starters, it’s just what it sounds like — a shift that’s 12 hours long, often starting at 7AM and ending at 7PM, or vice versa.
The days are longer, but there are fewer of them. When you work 12-hour nursing shifts, you work just three days a week, and have four days off. That's compared to the five-days-on, two-off schedule of eight-hour shifts.
If you haven’t been asked to work a 12-hour shift yet, it may just be a matter of time. Among a number of other reasons, hospitals are increasing their use of 12-hour shifts to improve continuity of care for patients, and boost work/life balance and job satisfaction for employees at a time when good nurses are hard to find.
What are the pros of 12-hour nursing shifts?
But do 12-hour nursing shifts really offer a better work/life balance? Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons. Many nurses who work them agree that 12-hour shifts can help you:
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Achieve a better work/life balance, thanks to those four days a week you don’t have to work, giving you more time to recharge between shifts, spend with family, or whatever you need to do.
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Save time and money on commuting, since you’ll be doing less of it — and at different times of the day. Depending on where you live, there could be a big difference between driving home at 5pm and 7pm.
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Better bond with patients thanks to longer periods of time spent with them, which can also help prevent miscommunications or errors during shift changes.
What are the cons of 12-hour nursing shifts?
Do those benefits come at a price? Obviously, the biggest potential challenge is the length of the shift, which may take some getting used to. It also means you'll have less free time on the three days of the week you do work.
Even these cons can have their bright side, though. For instance, making the effort to excel on a 12-hour nursing schedule shows adaptability and a dedication to patient care — both of which are essential soft skills for nurses.
8 Tips for Working 12-hour Nursing Shifts
If you decide to give 12-hour nursing shifts a try — or even if you're already working them — here are a few tips for better managing the lifestyle and getting the most out of the potential benefits it offers.
#1: Don’t skimp on sleep
We know it’s easier said than done, but getting plenty of sleep is even more important on a 12-hour schedule. Getting the recommended eight hours is key to making sure you have the energy to tackle each shift.
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Bonus tip: If you’re not already following basic sleep tips like limiting caffeine and dimming your lights early, it’s time to start!
#2: Get your vitamins & nutrition
Making sure you have the energy and focus it takes to work 12-hour nursing shifts means getting your recommended daily nutritional intake, whether from a supplement or fresh grains, fruit, and veggies.
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Bonus tip: Focusing on fresh produce can be good for your wallet, too.
#3: Bring your own snacks
Don't give in to the temptation of the vending machine! Make sure you have snacks handy for a jolt of energy when you need it.
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Bonus tip: Energy bars, granola bars, yogurt, bananas, apples, and a smoothie in a tumbler are all easy to stash or carry around, as needed.
#4: Stay hydrated
Whether or not you feel thirsty, staying focused depends on drinking plenty of water throughout the day, and especially during your shift. For most people, that means four to six cups.
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Bonus tip: Get an alarm app to remind you when to take a drink, so you don't forget.
#5: Dress smart
Comfort is a big part of staying productive for 12 hours, and that includes staying warm. In addition to the work uniform your facility requires, wear layers to help you regulate your body temp — especially in the chilly months!
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Bonus tip: Some scrubs are designed to be more functional, with extra pockets, added stretchability, or whatever you need. See our top picks here.
#6: Wear the right shoes
You’ll probably be spending more time on your feet than you're used to, so make sure your shoes are up to the job — if not, you could be dealing with blisters, sore feet, or even back pain or worse.
- Bonus tip: What are the best shoes for busy nurses? Check out these recommendations.
#7: Take the right kind of breaks
When you do get a break, spend it in a different part of the facility or outdoors if possible, for a better chance to recharge.
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Bonus tip: Get even more from your breaks with these simple stretches you can do at work.
#8: Make the most of your days away
Four days is a long time to have free each week! Even if you reserve one for resting and recharging, that leaves three for all sorts of activities — taking quick vacations, indulging in your hobbies, or doing whatever you love to do.
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Bonus tip: Don't forget, nurses get special deals on vacations, hotels, trips, and other activities. Learn more here.
Get More from the 12-Hour Nursing Lifestyle
No matter what schedule you prefer, you'll find the one you're looking for with HealthTrust. We're always hiring nurses for local contract, travel, and per diem roles, many of which offer 12-hour schedules. Search all jobs to see what's open.
