Flexible healthcare shifts are a popular option for many. The freedom to choose your own shifts comes with whole range of benefits for healthcare professionals, care assistants, and nurses. From creating a healthy work-life balance and optimised wellbeing to increasing job satisfaction.
Here, we share three benefits of flexible healthcare shifts.
1. A healthy work-life balance
Work-life balance is vital for healthcare professionals, care assistants, and nurses to maintain a wholesome and rewarding life in and out of work. It involves managing time and energy effectively between professional responsibilities and personal activities. Flexible working arrangements play an important role in achieving this balance.
Offering flexible work options allows healthcare professionals to manage their time better. This enables them to prioritise personal commitments, such as spending time with family, pursuing hobbies, or engaging in self-care activities.
2. Improved wellbeing
A significant benefit of flexible healthcare shifts is the reduction of stress and burnout. Traditional healthcare roles often come with demanding schedules and long working hours, leading to heightened stress levels. However, flexible working arrangements provide opportunities for healthcare professionals to manage their workload better and avoid burnout.
By having more control over your work schedules, you can create a better work-life balance, leading to improved overall wellbeing. This can result in reduced levels of anxiety and depression, increased job satisfaction, and better overall mental health.
At Newcross, we offer our healthcare colleagues free wellbeing webinars from inner wellness expert, Suhail Mirza. This is in addition to mental health support through myHealthPlan, which provides access to phone, online, and face-to-face counselling when it’s needed.
3. Increased job satisfaction
Flexible healthcare shifts increase job satisfaction for care assistants, and nurses in a variety of ways:
- Independence and control over work schedule: With flexible healthcare shifts, healthcare professionals have the freedom to determine their own work schedule. They can choose to work during their most productive hours or align their work with personal commitments. This independence and control over their schedule can lead to a better work-life balance and overall job satisfaction.
- Ability to pursue personal interests: Flexible working allows healthcare professionals to pursue their personal interests outside of work. They can engage in hobbies, spend time with family and friends, or enrol in further education. Having the flexibility to balance work and personal life can contribute to a sense of fulfilment.
- Increased job engagement: When healthcare professionals have the opportunity to customise their work schedules, they’re more likely to feel engaged and invested in their roles. They can align their work with their personal preferences and strengths, leading to increased job satisfaction and motivation. This enhanced job engagement can also result in improved job performance and patient care.
For more information about careers in care, take a look at our blog.
