Nurses' Perception and Practice of Night Shift Napping: Qualitative Research at Different Medical Settings

Nurses working night shifts face the risk of sleep deprivation, posing threats to patient and nurse safety. There has been limited nursing research on napping, which is recognized as an effective strategy to enhance performance, reduce fatigue, and increase alertness.

This study aims to investigate nurses' practices and perceptions regarding the benefits and drawbacks associated with napping during night shifts.

Qualitative research methods were utilized with a targeted sample of critical care nurses working in intensive care units or emergency departments at Assiut University Hospitals in Egypt. Nurses participated in semi-structured interviews using a questionnaire. Analysis involved constant comparison of transcripts to identify categories and themes.

Most participants (65.6%) acknowledged the benefits of napping. Reported positive effects included clearer communication (98.09%), enhanced efficiency during shift changes (59.04%), wakefulness during charting (89.52%), increased energy levels (95.23%), and confidence in task completion (87.61%). Additionally, napping was found to improve nurses' psychological adjustment (100%) and enhance safety for both nurses and patients (100%). However, a minority of respondents (34.4%) cited drawbacks such as understaffing associated with napping and patients worry.

This study provides evidence of the positive impact of napping on various aspects of nursing care and safety for patients and nurses.