How Long and How Much Are Nurses Now Working?

In this study the authors analyzed results from a national survey and found that nurses work more hours than recommended by the Institute of Medicine in Keeping Patients Safe. They conclude that an increased awareness of fatigue in nursing and its impact on safety is necessary to realize improvements.

"Extended work schedules—those that vary from the standard eight hours per day, 35 to 40 hours per week—are common in nursing and contribute to problems with nursing recruitment and retention, in addition to compromising patient safety and the health and well-being of nurses. This study describes the nature and prevalence of such schedules across nursing settings."
"More than a quarter of the sample reported that they typically worked 12 or more hours per day, as did more than half of hospital staff nurses and more than a third of those with more than one job. A third of the total sample worked more than 40 hours per week, and more than a third worked six or more days in a row at least once in the preceding six months. Nearly a quarter rotated shifts."

To read the full article:
Trinkoff A, Geiger-Brown J, Brady B, Lipscomb J, Muntaner C. (2006) How long and how much are nurses now working? American Journal of Nursing 106(4):60-71.