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Published on: August 8, 2019
Working From Dusk to Dawn: A Joy or Nightmare
Susan Salmond1,2,3,4, Susan H Weaver1,2,3,4, Ulanda Marcus-Aiyeku1,2,3,4
1Susan Salmond, EdD, RN, ANEF, FAAN, Executive Vice Dean at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, School of Nursing. Director of The Northeast Institute for Evidence Synthesis and Translation (NEST): A Collaborating Center of Excellence of the Joanna Briggs Institute at Rutgers School of Nursing. Co-Director New Jersey Nursing Emotional Well-Being Institute.
Night shift nurses face unique challenges, including sleep deprivation and a different work environment. This review offers strategies for nurses and employers to manage the physical and psychological impacts of night work.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Sleep Medicine
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Healthcare facilities require 24/7 staffing, necessitating night shift work for nurses.
- Night shift work presents distinct environmental and operational differences compared to day shifts.
- Nurses working night shifts often experience sleep deprivation and its associated health consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the experiences and perceptions of nurses working night shifts.
- To identify the challenges faced by nurses in varied healthcare settings during night shifts.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for managing the adverse effects of night shift work.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing literature.
- Analysis of nurses' experiences and perceptions of night shift work.
- Synthesis of findings across different healthcare settings (acute, subacute, long-term care).
Main Results:
- The night shift work environment is significantly different from day shifts.
- Night shift nurses commonly struggle with sleep management and experience chronic sleep deprivation.
- Evidence indicates a physical and psychological burden associated with night shift work.
Conclusions:
- Night shift work poses significant challenges to nurses' well-being.
- Recommendations are necessary for both employers and nurses to mitigate the negative impacts of working against circadian rhythms.
- Addressing sleep deprivation and environmental factors is crucial for supporting night shift nurses.
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