5 Best Nurse Shift Apps in 2025

All patients know that nurses are heaven-sent because of their incomparable bedside manners, which factor into their stellar patient care. However, they still face challenges in clinics, hospitals, and long-term care facilities despite the time and effort they put into it. One of the biggest ones they deal with is related to their shifts. When a hospital, clinic, or skilled nursing facility 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, shifts can be challenging even for certified nursing assistants. 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 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. Recently, nurse shift platforms have emerged that also function as a nursing jobs app tailored for freelance licensed practical nurses. These apps allow you to browse and select nearby available shifts while ensuring you get paid 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 nurse shift apps and the five best in 2025.

What should you look for in free nurse shift apps?

Since there are two types of nurse shifts, we'll provide you with 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 nursing shifts 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 flexible shifts, 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.

The 5 best nurse shift apps available in 2025

Now, you must be wondering what apps we must be talking about. So, without further ado, here's a list of the five best nurse shift apps in 2025. Here are some of them:

1. 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. 

Best features

• Can sync Google and Outlook calendars
• User-friendly interface
• Has a patient portal
• Has automated reminders for appointments, invoices, and payments created
• Can create notes and store them in a secure EHR

Limitations

• Limited storage for the free plan
• Requires a stable internet connection

Pricing

• Free features with unlimited clients, telehealth, 1GB of storage, client portal, and more
• Essential plan: $14 monthly
• Plus plan: $19 monthly
• Advanced plan: $24 monthly

Reviews

• G2: 4.5 (364 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.5 (490 reviews)

2. IntelyCare

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

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 like medical malpractice insurance

Limitations

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

Pricing

• The starting price is free

Reviews

• Google: 3.6 stars (17 reviews)
• Apple: 4.0 stars (15 reviews)

3. ShiftMed

With ShiftMed, licensed 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. 

Best features

• Offers guaranteed shifts
• Offers holiday pay and has free instant pay
• No minimum shift time required
• Available on iOs and Android

Limitations

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

Pricing

• Free

Reviews

• Apple: 3.2 stars (875 ratings)
• Google: 2.9 stars (1,210 reviews)

4. 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. 

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

Limitations

• 15-day free trial
• No app for iOs mobile devices

Pricing

• Up to 15 employees: $20/mo (billed annually); $25/mo (billed monthly)
• 16-30 employees: $35/mo (billed annually); $40/mo (billed monthly)
• 31-60 employees: $55/mo (billed annually); $65/mo (billed monthly)
• 61-100 employees: $80/mo (billed annually): $95/mo (billed monthly)

Reviews

• Capterra: 4.8 stars (68 reviews)
• G2: 4/5 (2 reviews)

5. NurseGrid

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

Best features 

• Can sync with several calendars
• Customizable
• Has a free version
• Available on Android and iOs

Limitations

• Some users report concerns about ease of use.

Pricing

• Has a free version
• Paid plan starts at $5 per month

Reviews

• G2 Reviews: 4.9/5 (6 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.2/5 (13 reviews)

Final thoughts

Finding the right nurse shift app can make all the difference in managing a hectic schedule, whether you work in a hospital, nursing home, or other healthcare settings. With so many options available, it's important to choose an app that fits your needs whether that’s shift swapping, payroll tracking, or real-time notifications. The best part? Many of these apps are designed with both nurses and medical assistants in mind, making teamwork and communication easier than ever.

A well-organized schedule means less stress and more time to focus on patient care. If you haven’t tried a shift management app yet, now is the perfect time to explore your options and see how much smoother your workdays can be. Technology is here to help, and with the right app, you can stay on top of your shifts without the headache. Which app are you excited to try first?