12-hour nursing shifts: are they helpful or harmful to staff?

In nursing, 12-hour or even longer shifts are commonplace. Evidence points to harmful consequences of nurse rotas that employ longer shifts including nurse burnout, job dissatisfaction and intention to quit. Studies also suggest risks to patient safety. Yet nurses say there are reasons to value 12-hour shifts too, including more off-duty days, greater scope for overtime and lower travel and childcare costs. This makes balancing the pros and cons of 12-hour shifts a complex issue for nurses. Managing the physical demands of working 12-plus hours in one shift include ensuring healthy meals, adequate hydration and supportive shoes.