Okuzeka
Nursing vocabulary · Ward Routines and Handover

Shift

Meaning in nursing, with examples

/ʃɪft/nounCore term

In nursing, shift means: A fixed period of work, such as day, evening or night, after which another group of staff takes over.

In Turkish: vardiya, nöbet

How it is used

UK nurses work early, late, long-day or night shifts; in the US day and night shifts of 8 or 12 hours are common. You start, finish, swap, cover or pick up a shift. 'On shift' means working now; being 'off' means not working that day.

Example sentences

  1. I'm on a night shift tonight, so I'll call you tomorrow afternoon.

  2. Can anyone swap shifts with me on Saturday?

Common collocations

  • night shift
  • day shift
  • swap shifts
  • start a shift
  • 12-hour shift
  • handoverThe passing of information and responsibility for patients from one nurse or team to the next, usually at the change of shift.
  • wardA section of a hospital with beds where patients with similar needs stay and are cared for by a team of nurses.
  • charge nurseThe nurse who leads a ward or unit during a shift: organising staff, allocating patients and dealing with problems and emergencies.
  • check onTo go and see someone, or look at something, to make sure they are all right or that nothing has changed.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Ward Routines and Handover

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.