What are the typical working hours for a nurse?

Nursing is a rewarding yet demanding profession, but one aspect that often raises questions is nurse scheduling. What are the typical working hours for a nurse? The answer varies depending on the type of nursing role, the healthcare setting, and even the region in which you work. Understanding a nurse's work hours is essential if you are considering a new career in nursing,  advancing your nursing career with additional education and training, transitioning between specialties, or managing a shift in your work-life balance.

We’ll break down the common nurse shifts, factors that influence work hours, pros and cons of various nursing schedules, and how you can manage irregular nursing shifts effectively.

How many hours do nurses work? 

That depends. In the nursing profession, you can often choose to work part time or full time depending on your needs. The exact number of hours nurses work can vary depending on their role, workplace, and employment status, but most full-time nurses typically work between 36 to 40 hours per week. 

Part time nurses may work significantly fewer hours, often ranging from one to three shifts per week. Additionally, some nurses take on overtime or on-call responsibilities, which can increase their total weekly hours. 

Common Nursing Shifts

One of the most unique aspects of nursing is the range of shift options. Unlike traditional 9-to-5 jobs, nurses often work non-traditional hours in an effort to ensure patients receive care around the clock. In order to facilitate patient needs, healthcare facilities may schedule nurses in a variety of nursing shift types. Here are the most common nursing shifts:

12 Hour Nursing Shifts

Many nurses work in shifts that are 12 hours long instead of a more universally traditional 8-hour workday. For example, nursing shifts may run from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm (dayshift) or 7:00 pm – 7:00 am (nightshift). 

Working 12 hour nursing shifts means that you will work a different frequency of days. Rather than a 5-day work week, full time nursing professionals will likely work 3 or 4 days a week  — sometimes on an alternating nurse schedule (3 hours one week, followed by 4 hours the next week).

Twelve-hour shifts are often standard in hospitals and acute care settings. Many nurses prefer this schedule because it offers three or four days off per week. However, these long shifts can be physically and emotionally draining.

8 Hour Nursing Shifts

Nurses can also work in an 8 hour nursing shift schedule such as 7:00 am – 3:00 pm, 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm, or 11:00 pm – 7:00 am. 8 hour nursing shift jobs require a full time nurse to work 5-days a week, but may not be the typical Monday - Friday shifts experienced in many other professions due to the need to provide around the clock care for patients.

Some healthcare facilities use a rotating 8 hour nursing shift schedule system. Nurses working these shifts may be asked to alternate between mornings, evenings, and nights, depending on the staffing model.

Eight hour nursing shifts are most common for those working in outpatient settings such as: physician’s offices, schools, clinics. However, these types of nursing shifts are also sometimes found in specialized hospital units and long-term care facilities. Nurses who enter into more administrative roles may also be asked to work 8 hour nursing shifts. 

Part-Time and Per Diem Shifts

Nurses who elect to take on part time or per diem nursing positions will have hours that vary widely depending on need for their professional services. In these positions, you may work 1-3 days per week or may be on-call for whenever you are needed in a healthcare facility.

Nurses working part-time or per diem often enjoy flexible scheduling but may lack consistent hours or benefits. This option is common among retired nurses, students, those balancing family responsibilities, or any nursing professional seeking schedule flexibility.

Travel Nursing Shifts

Travel nursing can be a great option for adventurous nurses, as it provides new and changing environments and allows nurses to help where they are needed most. Travel nurses typically work between 36 and 48 hours each week and often in 12 hour nursing shifts, but the exact frequency will depend on your contract.

Travel nurses may experience a wide variety of shift types depending on their placement. Flexibility is key in this role, and the hours may change week to week.

Factors That Influence Nurse Work Hours

There are several factors that affect a nurse’s schedule, including: work setting, speciality, seniority, and overall staffing needs of the healthcare facility. 

Work Setting

The nursing profession offers a lot of different options and opportunities when it comes to working in healthcare settings. With the right nursing education and training, nurses can choose to work in hospitals, clinics, schools, long-term care, physician’s offices, home health, and other healthcare facilities depending on their scheduling needs and career goals. 

• Hospitals: Often require 24/7 staffing and use 12 hour nursing shifts
• Physicians Offices & Clinics: Operate during business hours, typically between 8:00 am – 6:00 pm but also may have a few evening and weekend shifts
• Long-term Care Facilities: May use a mix of 8 and 12 hour shifts
• Home Health & Hospice: Offer more autonomy with day shifts and flexible scheduling
• Schools: Operate during school hours, typically between 7:00am - 4:00pm
  

Nursing Specialty

With proper nursing education, you can also choose a speciality that interests you. Depending on the speciality you choose, your nursing schedule will vary to fit the needs of your patients and the facility in which you work. A few examples are listed below: 

• ICU/ER Nurses: Often work longer, high-intensity shifts
• School Nurses: Follow school hours (roughly 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
• Operating Room Nurses: May have early start times and be on call for emergencies
• Nurse Practitioners: Typically work office hours unless employed in a hospital
  

Seniority and Staffing Needs

More experienced nurses may have priority when choosing shifts. Meanwhile, newer nurses might start with less desirable hours, such as weekends, holidays or night shifts. Keep your head up. As you gain experience and achieve higher levels of education, you will develop the seniority you need to choose the nursing shift you want. 

State Regulations and Union Contracts

State labor laws and nursing union agreements can affect mandatory overtime, maximum shift lengths, and rest periods.

Night vs. Day Shifts

Another thing you need to consider is whether you want to work nursing day shifts or work as a night shift nurse. Night shift nursing—typically from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am—is essential for 24-hour patient care, but it poses some unique challenges including: sleep disruption, circadian rhythm changes, an increased risk of health issues over time, and few administrative resources available during your shift.

On the flip side, many night shift nurses enjoy quieter environments, higher pay differentials, and fewer interruptions from visitors or meetings.

How Nurses Can Manage Work Hours

Regardless of shift type, nurses must take proactive steps when it comes to scheduling. It’s important that you’re able to choose the shift that will work best for you and that you learn to manage long or irregular hours effectively. Here are a few tips that may help with nurse scheduling challenges. 

Prioritize sleep – Use blackout curtains and work to maintain a consistent sleep schedule day-to-day, especially after night shifts.

Stay hydrated and eat well – Energy levels are easier to manage with proper nutrition and hydration.

Use days off wisely – Prioritize rest and recovery, but also schedule time for family, exercise, and personal interests.

Get the right education – Earn more advanced nursing credentials for more opportunities and more ability to choose desired shifts and nursing schedules. 

Seek support – Teamwork among nurses helps reduce workload stress.

Set boundaries – Know when to say “no” to overtime if it impacts your health or family life.

Nursing typical work hours and advancement opportunities

The typical working hours for a nurse vary widely depending on your facility, role, and personal choice. From 12 hour hospital shifts to 8 hour clinic days and everything in between, nursing offers flexibility but also demands resilience.

For anyone considering a new or advanced career in nursing, understanding these scheduling dynamics is crucial. Whether you're drawn to the fast pace of hospital life or the routine of school nursing, there’s likely a nurse schedule that fits your lifestyle. Nursing education is the key to more opportunities and more options. Moving from an LPN to RN or LPN to BSN will open the door to nursing jobs in more healthcare settings with more nursing shift options. 

As an RN, you can also consider positions in outpatient settings, telehealth, or advanced practice roles that offer more traditional hours and give you more control over your schedule.

Achieve makes it possible to obtain the education you need to advance your nursing career no matter what your current schedule. We offer flexible bridge programs built for nurses, with classes that are even taught by nurses. Connect with us to learn how our programs can work for you.