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This question is about what a nurse does.
How many hours can a nurse work straight?
A nurse can work as many hours straight as they choose. Currently, there are no restrictions on the number of hours a nurse may voluntarily work in a 24-hour or 7-day period in the United States. There are also no restrictions on the number of hours that may be worked by other hospital employees.
While there are no national restrictions like you would see for a truck driver or other regulated position, there may be restrictions put into place by the hospital or organization itself. In most cases, hospitals will not allow nurses to work more than 16 hours in a row. Clinic nurses (private practice) typically will not work more than 8 hours per day.
Scheduled shifts are typically either 8, 10, or 12 hours in duration and may not follow the typical pattern of the day, evening, or night shifts. In most settings, a 12-hour shift will start at 7:00 am and end at 7:00 pm or vice versa. Nurses working on specialized units, such as the operating room or dialysis units may also be on call in addition to their shifts.
While not as common, some nurses may be scheduled to work 24 hours shifts. This is more common in emergency rooms and on units where the nurses self-schedule. Nurses working a 12-hour shift will typically work 3 days in a row, this is known as stacking your shifts.
Many nurses prefer having their shifts stacked as this means:
Less driving (only working 3 days as opposed to 5 or 6)
Get more done on your off days
Easier to go to school or work around family members
Don't have to use as many PTO hours
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