Benefits of 8 hour vs 12 hour shifts

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2012

Research shows more errors are commuted during 12 hour shifts due to fatigue. You'll need to find those research studies for your debate. Try searching an article database like google scholar or ebscohost to find studies about 12 vs 8 hour shifts. I'm sure there are many studies and you'll find lots of pros and cons and ideas for your debate. Remember, to make a solid debate, you need sources to backup your statements- not just opinions.

Music in My Heart · Jul 17, 2012

At the same time, don't neglect staff satisfaction and retention. Many of us greatly prefer 12's and would be very unhappy stuck working 8's.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2012

many of us wouldn't work 12-hour shifts for twice the money-- too hard on the old knees and ankles.

"follow the money" is generally good advice when you're looking for a "why?" look at how the hospitals pay staff, and the difference in benefits.

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 17, 2012

I am old enough to have worked before 12-hour shifts were fashionable. When we switched to 12-hours shifts, a lot of people hated them. The reasons they preferred 8-hour shifts:

1. We were less tired after an 8-hour shift -- and our bodies/minds did not need as much "recovery time" after working. This was especially appreciated by our older staff members and by those who worked part time. They worked 2 shifts/week instead of one 12-hour or 3 shifts instead of two, etc. and weren't tired and/or stressed by it. Knees, hips, backs, etc. all appreciated it.

Less tired = staff more awake and alert = few errors = better care provided. Staff also happier because they FELT better physically.

2. We were able to spend time with family and friends on days we worked. For example:

A. Nurses with kids working days would be home for dinner and able to spend the evening with their families. People could go out to dinner (and a movie) in the evening after work, etc.

B. People working nights could sleep in the morning and afternoon -- and get up in time for for dinner and socializing with family and friends in the evening before work.

C. People working evenings had the mornings and early afternoons to do stuff before work.

3. It was a LOT easier to cover a sick-call as there was usually someone willing to stay over 4 hours from the previous shift -- and someone from the later shift to come in 4 hours early. They earned a little overtime without having to stress themselves too much. It was "easy overtime" as they usually kept the same assignment for their full 12. Very little need for anyone to be "on call" or "mandated."

4. Scheduled for 40 hours per week (80 per pay period) instead of only 72 per pay period. That's 8 hours of extra pay per pay period -- plus overtime for every minute not out on time -- because you are already starting at 40 hours per week. That's significant money over the course of time.

5. More continuity with 8 hours shifts as staff works more shifts per week. New staff members learn skills faster as their learning is reinforced more often and without gaps of several days of being off. They also make friends, find mentors, and become integrated into the unit more quickly and easily when they are working with the same people on a more regular basis. With 12-hour shifts and even full time staff only working 3 (maybe 4 sometimes) shifts per week, a new person rarely works with the same colleagues multiple times during the same week. With 8 hour shifts, you are more likely to work with the same people more often and establish positive relationships that can help new staff members be successful. 12-hour shifts make orientation and that new grad role transition a lot harder.

6. The same continuity issue holds true with patients, too. Working 5 days per week, you get more continuity of care.

These are just the rememberences off the top of my head -- as someone who went through the change from 8's to 12's. Like the previous posters, I hope you do some literature searching to find some documentation of these things to back up your arguments. Not that my opinions are not valid ... but some solid research would help.

caliotter3 · Jul 17, 2012

I have found that with eight hour shifts, my life is consumed by my job. Twelve hour shifts would only allow my life to be totally consumed by my job. I once worked 12 hour shifts, six days a week for an employer that refused to pay me the overtime required in my state. I always felt that it was not worth living only to go to work, knowing that I was being cheated. Would I do it again? Of course. The alternative is worse.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2012

iig, wish i could "like" that a hundredfold. absolutely nailed it. quality of life is like oxygen.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2012

I am old enough to have worked before 12-hour shifts were fashionable. When we switched to 12-hours shifts, a lot of people hated them. The reasons they preferred 8-hour shifts:
1. We were less tired after an 8-hour shift -- and our bodies/minds did not need as much "recovery time" after working. This was especially appreciated by our older staff members and by those who worked part time. They worked 2 shifts/week instead of one 12-hour or 3 shifts instead of two, etc. and weren't tired and/or stressed by it. Knees, hips, backs, etc. all appreciated it.
Less tired = staff more awake and alert = few errors = better care provided. Staff also happier because they FELT better physically.
2. We were able to spend time with family and friends on days we worked. For example:
A. Nurses with kids working days would be home for dinner and able to spend the evening with their families. People could go out to dinner (and a movie) in the evening after work, etc.
B. People working nights could sleep in the morning and afternoon -- and get up in time for for dinner and socializing with family and friends in the evening before work.
C. People working evenings had the mornings and early afternoons to do stuff before work.
3. It was a LOT easier to cover a sick-call as there was usually someone willing to stay over 4 hours from the previous shift -- and someone from the later shift to come in 4 hours early. They earned a little overtime without having to stress themselves too much. It was "easy overtime" as they usually kept the same assignment for their full 12. Very little need for anyone to be "on call" or "mandated."
4. Scheduled for 40 hours per week (80 per pay period) instead of only 72 per pay period. That's 8 hours of extra pay per pay period -- plus overtime for every minute not out on time -- because you are already starting at 40 hours per week. That's significant money over the course of time.
5. More continuity with 8 hours shifts as staff works more shifts per week. New staff members learn skills faster as their learning is reinforced more often and without gaps of several days of being off. They also make friends, find mentors, and become integrated into the unit more quickly and easily when they are working with the same people on a more regular basis. With 12-hour shifts and even full time staff only working 3 (maybe 4 sometimes) shifts per week, a new person rarely works with the same colleagues multiple times during the same week. With 8 hour shifts, you are more likely to work with the same people more often and establish positive relationships that can help new staff members be successful. 12-hour shifts make orientation and that new grad role transition a lot harder.
6. The same continuity issue holds true with patients, too. Working 5 days per week, you get more continuity of care.
These are just the rememberences off the top of my head -- as someone who went through the change from 8's to 12's. Like the previous posters, I hope you do some literature searching to find some documentation of these things to back up your arguments. Not that my opinions are not valid ... but some solid research would help.

LIKE! LIKE! LIKE! LIKE!

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Jul 17, 2012

I am old enough to have worked before 12-hour shifts were fashionable. When we switched to 12-hours shifts, a lot of people hated them. The reasons they preferred 8-hour shifts:
1. We were less tired after an 8-hour shift -- and our bodies/minds did not need as much "recovery time" after working. This was especially appreciated by our older staff members and by those who worked part time. They worked 2 shifts/week instead of one 12-hour or 3 shifts instead of two, etc. and weren't tired and/or stressed by it. Knees, hips, backs, etc. all appreciated it.
Less tired = staff more awake and alert = few errors = better care provided. Staff also happier because they FELT better physically.
2. We were able to spend time with family and friends on days we worked. For example:
A. Nurses with kids working days would be home for dinner and able to spend the evening with their families. People could go out to dinner (and a movie) in the evening after work, etc.
B. People working nights could sleep in the morning and afternoon -- and get up in time for for dinner and socializing with family and friends in the evening before work.
C. People working evenings had the mornings and early afternoons to do stuff before work.
3. It was a LOT easier to cover a sick-call as there was usually someone willing to stay over 4 hours from the previous shift -- and someone from the later shift to come in 4 hours early. They earned a little overtime without having to stress themselves too much. It was "easy overtime" as they usually kept the same assignment for their full 12. Very little need for anyone to be "on call" or "mandated."
4. Scheduled for 40 hours per week (80 per pay period) instead of only 72 per pay period. That's 8 hours of extra pay per pay period -- plus overtime for every minute not out on time -- because you are already starting at 40 hours per week. That's significant money over the course of time.
5. More continuity with 8 hours shifts as staff works more shifts per week. New staff members learn skills faster as their learning is reinforced more often and without gaps of several days of being off. They also make friends, find mentors, and become integrated into the unit more quickly and easily when they are working with the same people on a more regular basis. With 12-hour shifts and even full time staff only working 3 (maybe 4 sometimes) shifts per week, a new person rarely works with the same colleagues multiple times during the same week. With 8 hour shifts, you are more likely to work with the same people more often and establish positive relationships that can help new staff members be successful. 12-hour shifts make orientation and that new grad role transition a lot harder.
6. The same continuity issue holds true with patients, too. Working 5 days per week, you get more continuity of care.
These are just the rememberences off the top of my head -- as someone who went through the change from 8's to 12's. Like the previous posters, I hope you do some literature searching to find some documentation of these things to back up your arguments. Not that my opinions are not valid ... but some solid research would help.

Nailed it. We only do 12's at my facility but this is making me wish we had the option of doing 8's...