<p>Aim To evaluate a year-long trial of a nursing shift pattern involving two 12-hour and two six-and-a-quarter-hour shifts.</p> <p>Method Twenty four nurses, four night sisters and two ward therapists were asked to complete a semi-structured questionnaire, and there was a 100 per cent response rate. Data on ward sickness, use of agency nurses, and ‘untoward incidents’ during the year were also analysed.</p> <p>Results Every nurse and therapist involved in the trial gave positive feedback regarding the new shift pattern. There was also a significant drop in sporadic sickness rates and agency nurse use during the year.</p> <p>Conclusion A shift pattern involving two 12-hour and two six-and-a-quarter-hour shifts appears to hold benefits for nurses’ health, wellbeing and job satisfaction.</p>