Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
08:36
Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments
Published on: August 8, 2019
The relationship between nurse work schedules, sleep duration, and drowsy driving
Linda D Scott1, Wei-Ting Hwang, Ann E Rogers
1Kirkhof College of Nursing, Grand Valley State University, 312 Cook-Devos Center for Health Sciences, 301 Michigan Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA. scottl@gvsu.edu
Sleep
|February 6, 2008
Summary
Many hospital nurses drive drowsy after long shifts, risking public safety. Shorter sleep, night shifts, and on-duty sleepiness increase drowsy driving incidents among nurses.
Area of Science:
- Nursing and Healthcare Safety
- Occupational Health
- Transportation Safety
Background:
- Extended work shifts for hospital staff nurses are linked to increased errors.
- Limited data exists on nurse alertness during commutes after long shifts.
- Understanding post-shift fatigue is crucial for public and nurse safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of drowsy driving among hospital staff nurses.
- To examine the relationship between drowsy driving and nurse work hours, alertness, night work, and sleep duration.
Main Methods:
- A 4-week daily logbook study was conducted with 895 full-time hospital staff nurses.
- Data collected included work hours, sleep duration, on-duty sleepiness, and drowsy driving occurrences.
- National random sampling ensured representative data collection.
Main Results:
- Nearly 600 (596/895) nurses reported at least one drowsy driving episode.
- 30 nurses experienced drowsy driving after every shift.
- Factors increasing drowsy driving risk included shorter sleep durations, night shifts, and on-duty sleepiness.
Conclusions:
- A significant number of nurses struggle with staying awake while driving home.
- Increased awareness and preventative strategies for drowsy driving are essential.
- Failure to mitigate nurse fatigue poses risks to public and nurse safety.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation
Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
01:07Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pervasive, uncontrolled sleepiness and other sleep disturbances. One of its hallmark symptoms is an abrupt transition to REM sleep upon falling asleep, which causes symptoms typically associated with this phase to occur unexpectedly during wakefulness. These include the following symptoms, which typically last from a minute or two to half an hour.
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
01:17Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking
Somnambulism, commonly known as sleepwalking, involves individuals engaging in activities ranging from simple walking to more complex behaviors such as driving. Sleepwalking typically occurs during the slow-wave sleep stages 3 and 4 early in the night when the person is not dreaming, contradicting the myth that sleepwalkers are acting out their dreams.
Factors that increase the likelihood of sleepwalking include sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption. Contrary to common beliefs, it is safe...
Factors that increase the likelihood of sleepwalking include sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption. Contrary to common beliefs, it is safe...
01:24Sleep-Wake Cycles
Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
01:15Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
Circadian rhythms are cyclic changes that are crucial in plasma drug concentrations. Various standard circadian parameters, including core body temperature, heart rate, and other cardiovascular factors, directly impact disease states and the therapeutic response to drug therapy.
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...