Experiences and perceptions of nurses working night shift: a qualitative systematic review

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Nurses are essential for 24/7 patient care, but night shifts disrupt circadian rhythms.
• Understanding night nurses' experiences is key to developing strategies for mitigating negative impacts.
• Improving the night shift practice environment can enhance job satisfaction and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review qualitative evidence on the experiences and perceptions of nurses working night shifts.
• To identify challenges faced by night shift nurses across various healthcare settings.
• To explore potential strategies for improving the night shift work environment.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of qualitative evidence following JBI methodology.
• Inclusion of full-text, English-language studies from 1983 to February 2021.
• Meta-synthesis of findings from 33 studies involving 601 participants across 11 countries.

Main Results:

• Identified three synthesized findings: the distinctiveness of night nursing, challenges in balancing sleep and life, and the impact of sleep deprivation.
• Extracted 220 findings from 34 papers, forming 11 categories.
• Highlighted the "Twilight Zone" experience of sleep-deprived nurses prioritizing safety.

Conclusions:

• Night shift nursing is unique and often characterized by significant sleep deprivation.
• Organizational strategies and support are essential to enhance the well-being of night shift nurses.
• Improved support systems can positively impact both nurse satisfaction and patient safety.