The association between shift work disorder and turnover intention among nurses

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Nursing Studies
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Shift Work Disorder (SWD) is common in nurses, leading to adverse health effects.
• Limited understanding exists regarding how SWD influences nurses' career decisions, particularly their intent to leave their jobs (turnover intention).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between SWD and turnover intention among nurses.
• To identify individual and work-related factors associated with turnover intention in nurses with SWD.

Main Methods:

• Utilized longitudinal cohort data from the "SUrvey of Shift work, Sleep and Health (SUSSH)" study among Norwegian nurses (2015-2016).
• Included nurses working in both years who completed turnover intention and SWD assessments.
• Measured job demands, decision latitude, and social support using validated questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Shift Work Disorder (SWD) was found to predict turnover intention one year later in a cohort of 889 nurses.
• This association remained statistically significant after controlling for demographic variables, work schedule, and workplace psychosocial factors.

Conclusions:

• Shift Work Disorder (SWD) is a significant predictor of nurses' turnover intention.
• Addressing SWD is crucial for improving nurse retention and mitigating workforce challenges in healthcare settings.