Exploring the Impact of Shift Duration on Nurses’ Perceived Stress and Quality of Working Hours: A Comparative Study of 8-Hour Versus 12-Hour Shifts

The nursing workforce in the Philippines is known for its dedication and resilience but faces significant challenges, including the demands of shift work. Longer 12-hour shifts are common in local hospitals, offering continuity of care but raising concerns about fatigue, dissatisfaction, and burnout. This study examined the impact of shift durations on nurses’ perceived stress and the quality of working hours during 8-hour versus 12-hour shifts. It involved a diverse group of nurses, varying in age, gender, educational background, and experience, working in private hospitals in the Province of Cavite. A convergence mixed-method design combined quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide a comprehensive analysis. Quantitative data analysis identified patterns, correlations, and differences in stress and working hours based on shift length, while qualitative thematic analysis explored nurses’ experiences. Established scales like the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) ensured construct validity, while criterion validity compared the study’s instruments with established measures of stress and job satisfaction. Reliability was tested through Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest methods.