Clocking In: A Comparative Study of Job Satisfaction among Nurses Working 8-Hour and 12-Hour Shifts in a Tertiary Hospital in Bataan

This study examined the job satisfaction of nurses working 8-hour and 12-hour shifts in a tertiary hospital in Bataan. Specifically, it determined whether shift length influences workload and fatigue, work-life balance, schedule flexibility, and overall job satisfaction. A quantitative descriptive-comparative research design guided by the post-positivist paradigm was employed. Data were collected from 136 registered nurses using a modified and adapted version of the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ). The responses were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, weighted means, the Mann–Whitney U test, and the Kruskal–Wallis H test. The findings showed that nurses from both shift schedules generally reported satisfactory levels of workload management and job satisfaction. However, nurses assigned to 12-hour shifts reported significantly higher levels of work-life balance, schedule flexibility, satisfaction with salary and benefits, supervision and interpersonal relationships, professional growth and development, and overall job satisfaction than those working 8-hour shifts. No significant difference was found in workload and fatigue between the two groups. Since the study was conducted in only one tertiary hospital in Bataan, the findings may not represent all healthcare settings. Future research may include hospitals from different regions, larger sample sizes, and additional factors such as burnout, resilience, organizational support, and turnover intention. The findings may help hospital administrators and nursing managers develop evidence-based scheduling practices, including the balanced use of 8-hour and 12-hour shifts, informed by institutional needs and nurses' preferences. This study also adds to the limited body of local evidence on the relationship between shift length and job satisfaction among nurses in the Philippine healthcare setting.