How Shift Schedules Shape Nurses' Sleep and Compassion: A Comparative Study.

Area of Science:

• Nursing and Healthcare Management
• Occupational Health
• Sleep Science

Background:

• Irregular work schedules, common in nursing, are linked to decreased nurse well-being.
• Rotating shifts are particularly associated with poor sleep quality and emotional exhaustion, potentially affecting patient care.
• Understanding the impact of shift work on nurses is crucial for healthcare quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between fixed and rotating shifts and nurses' sleep quality.
• To examine the association between fixed and rotating shifts and compassion fatigue in nurses.
• To address the gap in knowledge regarding how work schedules affect nurse well-being and patient care.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 288 nurses from public hospitals, with 144 in fixed and 144 in rotating shift groups.
• Sleep quality assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
• Compassion fatigue measured by the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL), with data analyzed using independent samples t tests and Mann-Whitney U tests.

Main Results:

• Nurses on rotating shifts reported significantly poorer sleep quality (p < 0.001).
• Rotating shift nurses experienced higher levels of burnout and secondary traumatic stress (components of compassion fatigue) (p < 0.001).
• Compassion satisfaction was significantly lower in the rotating shift group (p < 0.001), with large effect sizes observed.

Conclusions:

• Rotating shifts are significantly associated with diminished sleep quality and increased compassion fatigue among nurses.
• Healthcare organizations should consider implementing fixed shifts and resilience programs to enhance nurse well-being.
• Prioritizing fixed schedules and targeted interventions is essential for a sustainable nursing workforce and optimal patient care.