How Many Hours Do Nurses Work? A Guide to Common Nurse Schedules
If you’re thinking about becoming a nurse, you might be wondering, How many hours do nurses work in a week? The answer depends on the type of schedule and the clinical specialty. Nurse scheduling is more than just logistics: When nurses don’t feel they have a good balance between work and personal life, their odds of leaving a role increase. Nurses with more control over their schedules tend to feel more satisfied and less stressed, so it’s wise to learn more about the different scheduling options before you accept a role.
How Many Hours Do Registered Nurses Work a Week?
Nurses working full-time on inpatient units typically work about 36 hours a week, but outpatient nurses might work 40 hours. If a nurse is part-time, they might only work 24 hours per week, and per diem nurses may work even less.
How many hours do nurses work in different specialties — and why are they different? Hospitals run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but some clinical areas serve patients nonstop, while others shut down on nights or weekends.
The operating room (OR), for example, might start its first case at 6 a.m. and finish up the last one at 3:30 p.m., sending patients home or to the PACU afterwards. Inpatient units, on the other hand, care for patients day and night, so they need constant nurse coverage.
Overview of Common Nursing Schedules
Check out our table to understand typical scheduling requirements for nurses.
| Schedule | Hours Per Week | Clinical Areas | Pros and Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 12-hour shifts, typically 7–7 | 36 | Med-surg | Pros: 4 days off per week, and the ability to stack shifts with up to 8 days off in a row
Cons: 12-hour shifts can be exhausting, and working several shifts in a row leaves little time for life before or after work |
| 4 10s | 40 | Operating room (OR) | Pros: Typically comes with regular long weekends off
Cons: Early start times and late endings |
| 5 8s | 40 | Primary care | Pros: Shorter days, and roles are typically less physically demanding
Cons: Less opportunity for extended time off, more commuting |
| Part-time | Flexible, but generally the same week-to-week | Any of the above | Pros: Reduced hours give more time off and a better work-life balance
Cons: Less pay, typically fewer benefits, and some employers still maintain a weekend/holiday requirement |
| Per diem and PRN | Flexible and often different week-to-week | Any of the above | Pros: Maximum flexibility, and often a higher hourly rate
Cons: Income can vary widely, and roles may not offer benefits |
While the schedules above look simple, there’s a lot of nuance to nurse scheduling. If you’re wondering, How many hours do nurses actually work? you’ll need to take into account clock-in times and pre- and post-shift handoffs. Facilities may require nurses to arrive before their official clock-in time, and it’s not uncommon to stay late at the end of a shift to finish charting and handoffs. With the added time padding before and after shifts, nurses can work 13 to 14 hours in a shift, and sometimes more.
In addition, some facilities with staffing issues may use mandatory overtime policies to ensure that units have coverage. Some nurses choose to pick up overtime shifts voluntarily to make some extra cash. Areas that have fluctuating demands, like the OR and endoscopy, might require on-call time as well. This means a nurse isn’t working, but needs to be available to work if a case comes in.
The NOC, or night shift, brings another element into the nurse scheduling conversation. While night shift nurses might work the same number of hours compared to their day shift counterparts, they tend to spend more of their off time recovering from work. And some nurses even flip back and forth between days and nights.
Weighing Schedule Options for Nurses
Finding the right schedule is just as important as finding the right role. How many hours do nurses work in different life situations? Depending on where you are in your career, family, and personal life, one schedule might make more sense for you than others.
- New nurses might find the best fit in full-time, 12-hour shifts, where they’ll still have plenty of days off per week but can get as much experience and learning as possible. You can typically pick up overtime shifts for even more income.
- Nurses caring for children or family at home may benefit from part-time scheduling. The predictable hours make childcare planning easier, and the reduced workload can create more time and energy for family responsibilities, while maintaining some income and benefits.
- Nurses who want complete flexibility or who are managing another job, school, or major life transition may prefer per diem/PRN work. Being able to choose when you work can be a game-changer, especially for those who need month-to-month scheduling freedom.
- Nurses looking to increase their earnings quickly might consider PRN roles, as they typically pay a higher hourly rate. This can be ideal for nurses who are very flexible, saving for a major purchase, paying down debt, or wanting to boost income without committing to full-time hours.
Nurse Scheduling FAQ
Do nurses have a lot of free time?
It depends on the specialty and schedule. Nurses who work 12-hour shifts can have several days off in a row without technically taking time off. On the other hand, nurses who work in office or outpatient clinic settings typically have a more regular Monday–Friday schedule.
Why are nursing shifts 7 to 7?
This shift is common in acute care because 12-hour shifts decrease the staff that a facility needs per day. This also lessens the number of handoffs necessary in a day, which improves core continuity. But even though this schedule is common, it’s not the only way to work as a nurse.
Do nurses get to make their own schedules?
Yes and no. Many facilities use self-scheduling platforms where nurses can input a requested schedule for the following period. Then, managers will make changes to the requested schedules based on the needs of the unit. It’s also common for units to have certain weekend and holiday requirements — for example, at least five weekend shifts in a six-week scheduling period.
Do nurses have time for family?
Different nursing schedules offer different levels of work-life balance. Nurses who need to prioritize family life might want to consider a part-time or weekend schedule. Office roles can also offer a more regular schedule compared to inpatient nursing jobs.
Do nurses have a 3-day workweek?
While not all nurses do, those who work 12-hour shifts usually work three days a week.
Find a Schedule That Works For You
How many hours do nurses work at your facility? If you’re looking for a role with more or fewer hours, we can help you find it. IntelyCare matches nurses with opportunities that fit their needs. Sign up for personalized job recommendations to learn more.