Posted: October 15th, 2023

Impact of Night Shifts on Nurse Efficiency

Impact of Night Shifts on Nurse Efficiency

Nursing is a demanding profession that requires physical, mental and emotional stamina. Nurses often work long hours, deal with stressful situations and provide care for patients with various health conditions. One of the challenges that nurses face is working night shifts, which can have negative effects on their efficiency and well-being.

Night shifts are defined as shifts that start between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. and end between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. (Bae et al., 2016). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 15% of registered nurses in the United States work night shifts (BLS, 2020). Night shifts can disrupt the circadian rhythm, which is the natural cycle of sleep and wakefulness that regulates the body’s biological functions. Circadian rhythm is influenced by environmental cues, such as light and temperature, and internal factors, such as hormones and genes (National Sleep Foundation, n.d.).

Some of the impacts of night shifts on nurse efficiency are:

– Reduced alertness and performance: Night shifts can impair cognitive functions, such as memory, attention, decision-making and problem-solving. A meta-analysis of 34 studies found that night shift workers had lower levels of alertness and performance than day shift workers, especially during the early morning hours (Fischer et al., 2017). This can affect the quality and safety of patient care, as well as increase the risk of errors and accidents.
– Increased fatigue and burnout: Night shifts can cause sleep deprivation, which is the lack of adequate or quality sleep. Sleep deprivation can lead to physical and mental fatigue, which can impair mood, motivation and resilience. A study of 2,273 nurses in South Korea found that night shift workers had higher levels of fatigue and burnout than day shift workers, and that fatigue mediated the relationship between night shift work and burnout (Bae et al., 2016). Fatigue and burnout can reduce nurse satisfaction, commitment and retention, as well as affect their health and well-being.
– Altered circadian rhythm and health: Night shifts can alter the circadian rhythm, which can have adverse effects on various physiological systems, such as the immune, endocrine, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems. A systematic review of 38 studies found that night shift workers had increased risks of developing metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer and depression, compared to day shift workers (Wang et al., 2018). These health problems can compromise nurse efficiency, as well as increase absenteeism and medical costs.

To mitigate the impact of night shifts on nurse efficiency, some strategies that can be implemented are:

– Adopting a consistent sleep schedule: Nurses who work night shifts should try to maintain a regular sleep pattern, even on their days off. They should avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine before bedtime, as well as limit exposure to light and noise during sleep. They should also use dark curtains, eye masks, ear plugs or white noise machines to create a comfortable sleeping environment (National Sleep Foundation, n.d.).
– Taking naps and breaks: Nurses who work night shifts should take advantage of naps and breaks during their shifts to restore their energy and alertness. They should aim for short naps of 10 to 20 minutes in the early part of their shifts, or longer naps of 90 minutes or more in the later part of their shifts. They should also take frequent breaks to stretch, hydrate and snack on healthy foods (National Sleep Foundation, n.d.).
– Seeking support and resources: Nurses who work night shifts should seek support from their colleagues, managers, family and friends to cope with the challenges of night shift work. They should also access resources that are available in their workplaces or communities, such as counseling services, wellness programs or peer support groups. They should also seek professional help if they experience symptoms of sleep disorders or mental health problems (National Sleep Foundation, n.d.).

Night shifts are a reality for many nurses who provide round-the-clock care for patients. However, night shifts can have negative impacts on nurse efficiency and well-being. Therefore, nurses who work night shifts should be aware of these impacts and adopt strategies to minimize them.

Works Cited

Bae S-H., Yoon J-H., Sung J-H., Kim M-S., Jung Y-S., Park S-G., Lee K-J., Kim H-R., Kim J-Y., Kim S-Y., Kim H-J., Lee H-E., Lee S-A., Kim I-A., Kim J-Y., Kim J-S., Cho K-S., Kim J-I., Lee S-J., Lee K-H., Lee H-J., Lee C-T. & Kim Y-J. (2016) The impact of shift work on nurses’ job stress,
fatigue
and sleep quality: a systematic review. Journal of Nursing Management 24(4), 433–442.

Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2020). Occupational employment and wages, May 2020: 29-1141 registered nurses. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm

Fischer D., Lombardi D.A., Marucci-Wellman H. & Roenneberg T. (2017) Chronotypes in the US – Influence of age and sex. PLoS ONE 12(6), e0178782.

National Sleep Foundation. (n.d.). Shift work and sleep. Retrieved from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/shift-work-disorder/what-shift-work-disorder/shift-work-and-sleep

Wang X., Armstrong M.E.G., Cairns B.J., Key T.J. & Travis R.C. (2018) Shift work and chronic disease: the epidemiological evidence. Occupational Medicine 68(2), 69–74.

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