Sleep of Nurses: A Comprehensive Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Sleep Science
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Nurses' sleep is crucial for their health and patient care.
• Understanding research trends on nurses' sleep is vital for improving practice and well-being.
• Previous reviews have not comprehensively mapped the extent and nature of studies on nurses' sleep.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map the extent, range, and nature of studies examining nurses' sleep.
• To identify how nurses' sleep is studied in relation to their health, work, and practice.
• To synthesize current research on nurses' sleep patterns and influencing factors.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review methodology was employed.
• Searches were conducted across five major electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, EMcare, PsycINFO, Scopus).
• The review adhered to Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines.

Main Results:

• 1040 studies were included, primarily observational, focusing on acute care nurses.
• Studies predominantly described sleep (32%), discussed it as a workforce issue (21%), or a health behavior (27%).
• Sleep quality was the most frequently examined parameter, particularly concerning nurse well-being.

Conclusions:

• Research on nurses' sleep has increased exponentially, aligning with contemporary sleep science.
• The field requires greater consistency in sleep definition and reporting, prioritizing objective measures.
• This review highlights research gaps and methodological considerations for future studies on nurses' sleep.