Is It Time to Pull the Plug on 12-Hour Shifts?

Strategies for mitigating the effects of 12-hour shifts for nurses who continue to work 12- hour shifts despite the potential risks to their health and to patient safety are presented.

Abstract

This article is part 3 of the series "Pulling the Plug on 12-Hour Shifts." In part 1 (March 2010), the authors provided an update on recent evidence that challenges the current scheduling paradigm and supports the lack of safety of long work hours. Part 2 (April 2010) described the barriers to change and challenges for the nurse executive in moving away from the practice of 12-hour shifts. This article presents strategies for mitigating the effects of 12-hour shifts for nurses who continue to work 12-hour shifts despite the potential risks to their health and to patient safety.