Nursing Shifts to Be Adjusted to 12 Hours as Short-Term Solution, Offering More Rest Days

On February 14, 2024, Uraiporn Chantaumao, Director of the Nursing Division at the Ministry of Public Health, discussed a proposed solution to nursing workforce challenges by changing shifts from three 8-hour rotations to two 12-hour rotations per day. The nursing workforce continues to face significant shortages, with high resignation rates and difficulties replacing retiring staff due to heavy workloads and increasing service demands. Nurses currently often work multiple shifts, sometimes up to 16 hours in a day and over 40 hours per week, resulting in fewer days off and reduced rest time. Drawing from experience at Somdet Phra Buddhaloetla Hospital in Samut Songkhram, which has used 12-hour shifts for over 10 years, the proposal offers several benefits: - Reduces nursing staff requirements by 24% - Limits maximum daily working hours to 12 - Reduces shift change frequency, minimizing potential errors - Increases continuous patient care time - Provides longer rest periods and potentially 4 consecutive days off The proposal is a short-term workforce management strategy that can be flexibly adjusted, with various shift configuration options. However, long-term solutions will require government investment in nursing personnel, including increased production, compensation, and career progression opportunities.