5 Best Nurse Shift Apps in 2024

All patients know that nurses are heaven-sent because of their incomparable bedside manners, which factor into their stellar patient care. Behind the time and effort they put into it, however, they still face challenges in clinics, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. One of the biggest ones they deal with is related to their shifts. When a hospital or clinic has an inefficient shifting system or lacks a streamlined process, nurses risk burnout trying to juggle everything they need to accomplish during their shift. 

Indeed, RN shifts can be challenging. When it's difficult to reject shifts, and you're a nurse who feels like you're on the brink of burnout, we're here to let you know there are solutions to your problems. One is a nurse shift application to improve your employee experience and find shifts when needed. 

Unfamiliar with what it is? Generally, a nurse shift app is an application you can download and access on your mobile devices with features that can help you schedule your shifts, connect with and message your co-workers, create clinical notes, and more. However, recently, nurse shift apps designed specifically for freelance nurses have been popping up, and they offer features that'll help you view and choose the available shifts closest to you and pay you for your services. 

Think having such an application will benefit you but don't know where to start looking for the one that'll suit your needs? Then, keep reading to learn more. This article will fill you in with a list of what you should look for in free nurse shift apps and the five best in 2024.

What should you look for in free nurse shift apps?

Since there are two types of nurse shift apps, we'll provide you with two lists of what you should look for depending on whether you choose to have fixed hours or a flexible schedule in various healthcare facilities.

Fixed hours

If you're a nurse with fixed hours, these are what you must consider before downloading or subscribing to a specific nurse shift app designed to help you out:

• Is scheduling intuitive, easy, and effortless? 
• Can you compare calendars and sync with existing ones with the one on the app?
• Can you see the schedule of fellow nurses in circumstances when shift swapping is required? Or, at the very least, are you informed of any changes or openings in relevant members' schedules?
• Can you communicate with fellow nurses via message or e-mail through the app?
• Is there a patient portal where you can access and view information on the patient before you give them proper patient care?
• Are there any additional features the app offers that can help you with administrative tasks such as billing, payment, clinical note creation, etc.?
• Is the application available on desktops or, at the very least, iOS and Android mobile devices?
• Is the app secure?
• Does the app have a free or budget-friendly plan? Does it offer a demo or free trial if it's on the pricier end?

Flexible schedule

If you're a nurse who prefers a flexible schedule, these are what you must consider before downloading or subscribing to a specific nurse shift app explicitly designed to help you out:

• How fast is the onboarding process? Do they ask for a lot of requirements?
• Are the available shifts tailored to your preferences, like start time, distance, hourly rate, etc.? Does the app provide adequate information on a specific shift? Is it easy to claim a shift? How reliable are the shifts being offered?
• Are you paid on time? How often do you get paid? Are there any bonuses or aids that come with downloading the app?
• Is the app secure? 

Whether you're one or the other, it's best to consider these before downloading an app for therapy appointment aid. Now, you must be wondering what apps I must be talking about. So, without further ado, here's a list of the five best nurse shift apps 2024. 

The 5 Best Nurse Shift Apps Available in 2024

Carepatron

A HIPAA-compliant, all-in-one practice management software designed for various healthcare professionals, including nurses, Carepatron is an app on iOS and Android mobile devices. It offers features that can help streamline and automate scheduling, documenting, paying, and more. 

• Has a patient portal
• Can create notes and store documents in the secure EHR
• Accepts online payments
• Offers a free plan

• Can sync Google and Outlook calendars
• No geofencing feature

• $0/Month/user

• G2 Reviews: 4.6/5 (based on 133 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.5/5 (69 reviews)

NurseGrid

Nursegrid is a scheduling app that allows you to easily swap shifts with fellow nurses. On the Nurse grid, thanks to team scheduling and shift transparency, you and fellow nurses can compare schedules and more. 

• Can sync with several calendars
• User-friendly interface
• Customizable
• Has a free version
• Available on Android and iOs
• G2 Reviews: 4.9/5 (9 reviews)
• Capterra: none available

eSchedule

A scheduling solution designed specifically for first responders, eSchedule offers features like customizable schedule templates, custom shift rotation, personnel management, time card management, and more. 

eSchedule's best features

• Can track and fill open shifts
• Can monitor shift swaps and pick-ups
• Can send group e-mails and texts
• Can manage time off and timecards
• Can track certifications

eSchedule's limitations

• No tiered pricing is offered upfront
• 15-day free trial
• No app for iOs mobile devices

eSchedule's pricing

• Starts at $1,200/year (up to 20 active employees)

eSchedule's reviews

• Capterra: 4.8 stars (66 reviews)
• G2: 4/5 (based on 2 reviews)

ShiftMed

With ShiftMed, licensed STNAs, GNAs, CNAs, LPNs, and RNs should complete their onboarding process to get direct access to available shifts in their area and pick them up at their convenience. 

ShiftMed's best features

• Offers guaranteed shifts
• Has free Instant Pay
• No minimum shift time required
• Available on iOs and Android

ShiftMed's limitations

• Overtime must be approved
• Users express concerns about contacting customer service
• Users express concerns with waiting for background check

ShiftMed's pricing

• Free

ShiftMed's reviews

• Google Play store: 3.7 stars (1.1K reviews)
• Apple Store: 3.4 stars (744 ratings)

IntelyCare

IntelyCare is an app that allows nurses to work whenever and wherever they want. On their app, nurses can find per-diem shifts, contract assignments, home health visit opportunities, and more that can assure them of work with the addition of flexibility. 

IntelyCare's best features

• Can plan shifts long-term with block booking
• Contributes to your payroll taxes
• Can opt to get a portion of daily pay
• Can track income with updates
• Comes with benefits

IntelyCare's limitations

• Users express concerns about the waiting time for onboarding
• Users express concerns about contacting customer service

IntelyCare's pricing

• Starting price is free

IntelyCare's reviews

• Google Play Store: 4.0 stars (2.85K reviews)
• Apple Store: 4.3 stars (1.1K ratings)

Carepatron nurse shift app helps save you 1 day in admin every week

If you're working fixed hours and can't decide which of the three nurse shift apps in the list is the one you should download and use, may we recommend that you explore and exhaust all features on Carepatron first?

That's because with Carepatron, you can save 1 day in Admin every week because you can:

• Schedule online
• Sync your calendars
• Access relevant medical records that will aid you in delivering stellar patient care
• Be informed of any change in appointment date or time
• Store documents and create progress notes
• Accept payments online . . . and more

To get access, you must download the Carepatron app from the Google Play Store or open it on your browser. Then, you'll be equipped with the means and stools to avoid burnout and efficiently accomplish administrative tasks.

Sign up on Carepatron today!