[Is It Time to Implement a 12-Hour Shift for Nurses in Taiwan?]

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Practice
• Occupational Health

Background:

• The 12-hour shift system, adopted globally since 1967, is increasingly used in Taiwan to combat nursing shortages and high turnover.
• This model allows nurses to work 12-hour shifts, resulting in three to four workdays per week.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the implementation and impacts of the 12-hour shift system in Taiwan.
• To review the benefits and drawbacks of extended nursing shifts on staff well-being and patient safety.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on the application and effects of the 12-hour nursing shift model.
• Analysis of potential impacts on nursing staff quality of life, job satisfaction, and turnover rates.
• Evaluation of concerns related to patient safety, nurse fatigue, and sleep quality.

Main Results:

• Benefits include improved quality of life, reduced turnover, and increased job satisfaction for nursing staff.
• Concerns highlight potential risks to patient safety and negative effects on nurse fatigue and sleep quality.
• The system's effectiveness is debated, with potential trade-offs between work-life balance and operational risks.

Conclusions:

• The 12-hour shift model presents a complex balance between improving nurse well-being and ensuring patient safety.
• Policymakers in Taiwan should consider establishing weekly work hour ceilings and overtime limitations to mitigate nurse burnout.
• Further research is recommended to optimize flexible work schedules in healthcare settings.