The Night Shift Problem
Imagine working a 7 PM to 7 AM shift in the ICU, and then having to report to the courthouse at 8:30 AM. It is dangerous for you, and it's dangerous for your patients. Recognizing this, many states (like Illinois, New York, and California) have laws explicitly protecting night shift workers. Employers cannot force you to work a night shift if you have jury duty the following day.
Hospital Policies on Pay
Most major hospitals and healthcare networks have robust HR policies that cover jury duty. Often, they will switch your coding in the scheduling system to 'Jury Leave' and pay your base rate for the hours you would have worked. However, you will likely lose out on weekend differentials or overtime pay.
Can Nurses Get Excused?
It used to be that doctors and nurses could easily get excused from jury duty simply by virtue of their profession. That is no longer true. Most states have eliminated automatic professional exemptions. Unless you are the sole provider in a rural clinic and your absence would literally cause a public health crisis, you are expected to serve.