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Sleep Deprivation and Fatigue among Nurses Working Consecutive Night Shifts: A Prospective Observational Study
Ari Min1, Jisu Seo2, Minkyung Kang3
1Red Cross College of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
|June 12, 2024
Summary
Consecutive night shifts significantly reduce sleep duration and increase fatigue in nurses. Insufficient recovery time between shifts exacerbates sleep loss and fatigue, impacting nurse well-being.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Sleep Medicine
- Nursing Research
Background:
- Shift work, particularly night shifts, is common in nursing.
- The impact of consecutive night shifts on nurses' sleep and fatigue requires further investigation.
- Understanding these effects is crucial for improving nurse well-being and patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify changes in sleep patterns during consecutive night shifts among nurses.
- To assess the association between sleep parameters and fatigue levels during night shifts.
- To provide evidence for optimizing shift schedules and improving nurse recovery.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study with ecological momentary assessments.
- Data collected from 98 shift nurses using actigraphy for sleep monitoring.
- Real-time fatigue reporting via mobile link, analyzed with linear mixed models.
Main Results:
- Nurses exhibited reduced time in bed and shorter sleep durations during consecutive night shifts.
- Wake times after sleep onset were longer on off-duty days compared to on-duty days.
- Increased fatigue levels were observed on the second and third night-shift days, linked to reduced sleep.
Conclusions:
- Consecutive night shifts lead to significant sleep deprivation in nurses.
- Sleep shortage during night shifts is directly associated with increased fatigue.
- Adequate intershift recovery time is essential to mitigate sleep loss and fatigue in nurses.
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