Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies
Published on: January 16, 2019
Evaluation of the 12-hour shift trial in a regional intensive care unit
Trudy Dwyer1, Lynn Jamieson, Lorna Moxham
1Nursing and Health Studies, Central Queensland University and Intensive Care Unit, Rockhampton Hospital, Rockhampton, Australia. t.dwyer@cqu.edu.au
Introduction:
Given the shortage of critical care nurses, emphasis has been placed upon improving their working lives through the implementation of flexible work hours.
Method:
This descriptive exploratory study evaluated the effects of the implementation of the 12-hour roster in a regional intensive care unit (ICU). Staff (n = 19) completed a survey 12 weeks following the implementation of the 12-hour roster.
Results:
The study demonstrated widespread acceptance (92%) positive impact on physical and psychological well-being and increased work satisfaction (58%) for the nursing participants. Similarly, nurses working both the 8- and 12-hour rosters (75%), the doctors and allied health care workers all identified increased continuity of patient care as an outcome of the 12-hour shift. Participants strongly agreed that 12-hour rostering was a good recruitment (67%) and retention (75%) strategy.
Conclusion:
In an environment with considerable shortages of experienced critical care nurses, the use of flexible shift patterns such as the 12-hour roster was a positive recruitment and recruitment strategy.