Student nurses' views on shift patterns: What do they prefer and why? Results from a Tweetchat

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Workforce Studies
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Shift work patterns significantly impact healthcare professionals' well-being and performance.
• Understanding student nurses' perspectives on shift work is crucial for future workforce planning and support.
• Existing literature often focuses on registered nurses, with less emphasis on student experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore student nurses' views and preferences regarding different shift patterns during clinical placements.
• To identify the perceived benefits and drawbacks of common shift structures, such as 12-hour shifts.
• To understand the factors influencing student nurses' ability to negotiate their shift schedules.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study employing a Tweetchat methodology in May 2019.
• Data collection involved targeted questions on shift frequency, flexibility, and preferences.
• Analysis utilized reflexive thematic analysis to identify key themes from participant discussions.

Main Results:

• Seventy-three nursing students participated, with most reporting experience with 12-hour shifts, especially in hospital settings.
• Three core themes emerged: 'Achieving a personal equilibrium', 'Meeting the needs of the care environment', and 'Factors affecting negotiation capacity'.
• A conflict was identified: students favored 12-hour shifts for study/leisure time but experienced increased fatigue, poor diet, and reduced exercise.

Conclusions:

• Student nurses face a dilemma with 12-hour shifts, balancing personal time needs against detrimental health effects.
• The findings underscore the need for educational institutions and healthcare providers to address the impact of shift work on student well-being.
• Further research should explore strategies to mitigate the negative consequences of demanding shift patterns on nursing students.