A Pilot Study to Examine the Relationship Between Napping and Fatigue in Nurses Practicing on the Night Shift
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Published on: October 2, 2019
Kathleen Neville1, Gillian Velmer, Shari Brown
1Author Affiliations: Professor, School of Nursing (Dr Neville), and Academic Specialist (Ms Velmer), Kean University, Union; Clinical Coordinator (Ms Brown), East Orange General Hospital; School Nurse (Ms Robol), Bridgewater-Raritan School District, Bridgewater, New Jersey.
Objective:
The aim of this study is to explore the relationship of night-shift napping on fatigue.
Background:
Nurses' fatigue, especially at night, interferes with quality of life and job performance and impacts safety and health.
Methods:
Night-shift nurses completed the Brief Fatigue Inventory and a demographic information sheet to determine differences in fatigue between nurses who napped during their night shift as compared with nurses who did not nap.
Results:
No statistically significant differences in global fatigue were found; differences in rotating shift, age, and, gender were identified. Rotating shifts, a 2nd job, and caring for family predicted fatigue.
Conclusions:
Based on this pilot study, further investigations of fatigue among night-shift nurses are needed as well as evidence-based support to promote sleep.
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