Abstract

Background. Nurses constitute the backbone of healthcare delivery, yet persistent nurse shortages have compelled many hospitals in low-resource settings to adopt the bi-shift (12-hour) duty system. Although the arrangement is intended to optimize scarce staffing, its implications for nurses’ perceptions, attitudes, and quality of life remain insufficiently characterized in the Nigerian context. This study assessed the perception and attitude of nurses toward the bi-shift system and its perceived effect on their quality of life in a selected hospital in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Methods. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted at Sacred Heart Hospital, Lantoro, Abeokuta. The Taro Yamane formula was applied to a population of 185 nurses to derive a sample of 139 respondents, recruited by simple random sampling. A 39-item self-structured questionnaire measured socio-demographic characteristics, perception, attitude, and quality-of-life indicators on a five-point Likert scale; content validity was established through expert review and reliability through pilot testing (Cronbach’s α ≥ 0.70). Data were analyzed in SPSS version 27.0 using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and Pearson’s correlation, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

Results. Of the 139 nurses surveyed (response rate 100%), 66.9% reported a negative perception of the bi-shift system and 51.8% demonstrated a negative attitude. Half of the respondents (50.4%) reported a high perceived effect of bi-shift on their quality of life, citing inadequate rest, physical exhaustion, disruption of social life, and reduced motivation. A statistically significant association was found between years of nursing experience and perception of bi-shift (χ² = 17.685, df = 2, p < 0.001), and a significant positive correlation between perception and attitude (r = 0.617, p < 0.001).

Conclusion. Most nurses expressed negative perceptions and attitudes toward the bi-shift system and linked it to a reduced quality of life and increased work-related strain. A review of staffing policies and scheduling patterns, alongside structured wellness support, is recommended to protect nurse well-being and sustain quality patient care.

Keywords: Perception, Attitude, Nurses, Bi-shift, Twelve-hour shift, Quality of life, Shift work,

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