When I worked as a nurse in Japan, I usually worked a rotating shift schedule.
Common shift patterns
- Day shift: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Evening shift: 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
- Night shift: 1:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Some hospitals also use a two-shift system:
- Day shift: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Long night shift: 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. the next day, followed by two days off
Shift times vary by hospital and department, so these are examples from my experience rather than a universal schedule.
Working nights can be physically demanding. One benefit of early retirement for me is that I no longer have to work night shifts.
