A recent study conducted by the University of Southampton has revealed that nurses highly value both flexibility and regularity in their shift schedules to effectively manage their work responsibilities alongside personal commitments. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for retaining nursing staff within the NHS, especially during periods of significant staff shortages to ensure the delivery of safe and quality patient care.
The research indicates that only half of the nurses surveyed are content with their current roster arrangements, while the remaining individuals express dissatisfaction or uncertainty. Notably, day shifts tend to bring the highest level of satisfaction among nurses, whereas rotating shifts are associated with the lowest. Additionally, a significant majority, 68%, feel that their shifts are predominantly or entirely determined by their employers.
Conducted between June and October 2021 across two NHS trusts, the comprehensive survey involved over 850 nurses and aimed to provide deep insights into their perspectives on working schedules, including shift durations, timings, rotations, rest periods, and days off.
One key finding from the qualitative responses underscores the importance of consistent and predictable schedules. Many nurses emphasized the necessity of having advance notice of their shifts, preferably six weeks or more, and expressed discontent with schedules solely driven by staffing requirements. Concerns related to childcare and eldercare responsibilities were raised by over 100 nurses, highlighting how consistent schedules facilitate better planning in such situations.
Moreover, nearly 200 nurses emphasized the significance of well-structured days off, preferably arranged in blocks of two or three, to allow for adequate physical and emotional recovery, particularly during transitions between night and day shifts. A common concern was the perceived rapidity of shift changes.
Lead author Talia Emmanuel commented on the study, stating, “Our research delved deeply into the typical work patterns of nurses, examining the impact of long, short, and rotating shifts on their lives. By comparing the existing ward schedules with the preferred patterns of the staff, we aimed to identify areas for potential improvement in aligning shift satisfaction with the operational needs of wards and patient care.”
While longer and rotating shifts were generally less favored, the study revealed nuanced perspectives among different groups of nurses, suggesting potential benefits and room for enhancement in balancing shift satisfaction with operational requirements. For instance, long shifts were associated with reduced travel expenses and increased opportunities for overtime pay, whereas shorter shifts were linked to healthier lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise.
Professor Peter Griffiths, a co-author of the study, highlighted the challenges of accommodating individual preferences within rostering, particularly amidst staffing constraints. He suggested that leveraging modern scheduling software could offer a pathway to enhancing shift satisfaction among nurses, thereby promoting their well-being and job contentment without compromising care quality.