The association between rotating shift work and increased occupational stress in nurses

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Nursing Studies
• Psychology

Background:

• Rotating shift work is common in nursing, potentially impacting healthcare professionals' well-being.
• The Effort-Reward Imbalance model is a recognized framework for assessing occupational stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if rotating shift work elevates occupational stress among nurses.
• To identify specific scheduling factors that mitigate or exacerbate this stress.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 654 female nurses.
• Utilized self-reported questionnaires to assess shift schedules and occupational stress using the Effort-Reward Imbalance model.

Main Results:

• Nurses on rotating shifts had a higher risk of overcommitment (OR, 2.16).
• Two days off after night shifts reduced overcommitment risk (OR, 0.52).
• Working seven consecutive days increased imbalance risk (OR, 2.75); lack of schedule control and frequent overtime correlated with high stress.

Conclusions:

• Rotating shifts contribute to nurse stress, but strategic scheduling can mitigate this.
• Ensuring sufficient rest periods and limiting consecutive workdays are key to reducing occupational stress in nurses.
• Optimizing work schedules based on these findings can enhance nurse well-being and job satisfaction.