AIM: The main aim of the study was to understand student nurses' views around shift patterns. DESIGN: Qualitative study. METHOD: We held a Tweetchat in May 2019, where we asked questions around the frequency of 12-hr shifts working on placement; schedule flexibility while on placement; which shift patterns they preferred and why. Data from the Tweetchat were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to generate themes from initial codes. RESULTS: Seventy-three nursing students participated in the Tweetchat. The majority reported that they work 12-hr shifts on placements, particularly when based in a hospital. We identified three themes: 'Achieving a personal equilibrium'; 'Meeting the needs of the care environment'; 'Factors affecting negotiation capacity'. Data highlighted a conflict for most students, where they preferred 12-hr shifts because of more time off for study, paid work and leisure, while acknowledging 12-hr shifts negatively affected their fatigue, exhaustion and led them to follow a poor diet and neglect exercise and sleep.