Background: Studies conducted in hospital settings have associated negative clinical outcomes with 12-hour shifts. Despite this, 12-hour shifts are common in nursing and popular among nurses. Little is known about outcomes associated with 12-hour shifts in ambulatory care settings.
Objective: A mixed-methods, quality improvement project was conducted in a large, ambulatory cancer center to evaluate oncology nursing staff perspectives on 12-hour shift work.
Methods: One hundred ambulatory oncology nurses completed surveys and 11 participated in focus group interviews.
Findings: Nurses expressed predominately positive perspectives about 12-hour shift work in ambulatory oncology care.
Conclusions: Ambulatory oncology nurses perceived benefits to quality, safety, and satisfaction for both nurses and patients related to 12-hour shifts. Further evaluation of patient, nurse, and organizational outcomes unique to ambulatory settings is essential for nurse executives in formulating data-driven staffing plans. The incorporation of 12-hour shifts should be considered.
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