A Pilot Study to Examine the Relationship Between Napping and Fatigue in Nurses Practicing on the Night Shift

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Nursing Research
• Sleep Science

Background:

• Night-shift work is prevalent in nursing, often leading to significant fatigue.
• Nurse fatigue negatively impacts patient safety, quality of life, and job performance.
• Understanding factors contributing to fatigue is crucial for improving healthcare environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of napping during night shifts on nurse fatigue levels.
• To identify demographic and occupational factors associated with fatigue in night-shift nurses.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of night-shift nurses completed the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI).
• Demographic information was collected to analyze differences between napping and non-napping nurses.
• Statistical analysis was performed to identify predictors of fatigue.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences in overall fatigue were observed between nurses who napped and those who did not.
• Factors such as rotating shift schedules, engagement in a second job, and family caregiving responsibilities were identified as significant predictors of fatigue.
• Differences in fatigue were noted concerning rotating shifts, age, and gender.

Conclusions:

• This pilot study suggests that napping alone may not be sufficient to mitigate fatigue in night-shift nurses.
• Further research is warranted to explore multifaceted interventions for managing nurse fatigue.
• Developing evidence-based strategies to promote adequate sleep and reduce fatigue among night-shift nurses is essential.