Sleep quality and associated factors among critical care nurses in Jordan: A cross-sectional study

Sleep is an essential component of daily living, yet sleep disturbances are prevalent among nurses in critical care settings. Poor sleep quality is linked to adverse outcomes, including diminished cognitive and physical performance, mood disorders, and an increased risk of chronic diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the sleep quality of critical care nurses in Jordanian public hospitals and identify the associated factors.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in two major hospitals affiliated with Jordan's Ministry of Health. A convenience sample of 172 critical care nurses completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis in SPSS version 28.

A total of 82.6% of nurses reported poor sleep quality, with an average global PSQI score of 10.87±3.19. Workload (B=2.844, p<0.001) and anxiety (B=1.087, p<0.001) were the most significant predictors of poor sleep quality. Marital status (B=1.466, p=0.017) and working shifts (B=1.826, p=0.022) were also significantly associated with poor sleep quality.

Poor sleep quality level was found among the majority of critical care nurses, highlighting the need of implementing immediate interventions; including routine assessment of nurses sleep quality, ongoing support and counseling. Policymakers should prioritize initiatives such as workload management, disciplined shift scheduling, and stress reduction programs to improve nurses' well-being. Implementing these procedures may reduce fatigue-related medical errors and increase patient safety.