Surviving shift work.

Regrettably, countless nurses who have worked shifts can relate to this true story . Shift work, generally described as working outside daylight hours, is diffi cult physically and mentally but is inherent to many healthcare positions. Approximately 30% of the nursing population is employed in shift work (Hughes & Stone, 2004). However difficult, shift work is preferred by numerous nurses. Some nurses prefer shift work for the flexibility of their home lives, while others count on the monetary benefits that often accompany working in the evening and during the night.