Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing (대한간호학회지)

Korean Society of Nursing Science (한국간호과학회)
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Sleep Deprivation and Fatigue among Nurses Working Consecutive Night Shifts: A Prospective Observational Study

  • Min, Ari (Red Cross College of Nursing, Chung-Ang University) ;
  • Seo, Jisu (Department of Nursing, The Graduate School, Chung-Ang University) ;
  • Kang, Minkyung (College of Nursing, Ajou University) ;
  • Hong, Hye Chong (Red Cross College of Nursing, Chung-Ang University)
  • Received : 2023.12.20
  • Accepted : 2024.03.14
  • Published : 2024.05.31
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Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to identify changes in sleep patterns and fatigue levels during consecutive night shifts among shift nurses and to determine the association between sleep parameters and increased fatigue levels during work. Methods: This prospective observational study employing ecological momentary assessments was conducted using data collected from 98 shift nurses working in Korean hospitals between June 2019 and February 2021. The sleep patterns were recorded using actigraphy. The participants reported their fatigue levels at the beginning and end of each night shift in real time via a mobile link. Linear mixed models were used for the analysis. Results: Nurses spent significantly less time in bed and had shorter sleep durations during consecutive night shifts than on off-duty days, whereas their wake times after sleep onset were much longer on off-duty days than on on-duty days. Fatigue levels were higher on the second and third night-shift days than on the first night-shift days. A shorter time spent in bed and asleep was associated with a greater increase in fatigue levels at the end of the shift than at the beginning. Conclusion: Nurses experience significant sleep deprivation during consecutive night shifts compared with off-duty days, and this sleep shortage is associated with a considerable increase in fatigue levels at the end of shifts. Nurse managers and administrators must ensure sufficient intershift recovery time during consecutive night shifts to increase the time spent in bed and sleeping.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), funded by the Ministry of Education (no. 2018R1D1 A1B07042018) and Chung-Ang University Research Scholarship Grants in 2022.

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