Where's the Happiness

So, I was at the picnic for my unit (which was completely arranged for by my co-worker, not the hospital--more on that later) and I overheard my boss speaking with another higher echelon person about a shift in policy being pushed for by our new head of operations. In short, it's a new way of figuring productivity which will supposedly bring about greater patient satisfaction scores, greater employee satisfaction and increased revenue for the hospital (Which do YOU think is their highest priority?) Now I did not get all of the details, however, one key point that i did get is that our hospital will be shifting away from 12 hour shifts in favor of 8 hours.
I used to do 8 hour shifts. Hell, a great deal of the country does them. But I ask you, if you have worked a 12 hour shift, gotten used to working 3 days a week and every 3rd weekend, would it make you happy to have to work 5 days a week and every other weekend. Maybe it's just me but I think the idea is ludicrous and I don't understand how it will in any way increase employee satisfaction. I actually asked my boss at this picnic when health care stopped beign about taking care of people and became about how much money we can make. She couldn't answer me. Sad isn't it.