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. 2021 Mar 16:15:644570.
doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.644570. eCollection 2021.

Sleep-Related Problems in Night Shift Nurses: Towards an Individualized Interventional Practice

Valentina Alfonsi  1   2 , Serena Scarpelli  1 , Maurizio Gorgoni  2 , Mariella Pazzaglia  1   2 , Anna Maria Giannini  2 , Luigi De Gennaro  1   2
Affiliations

Sleep-Related Problems in Night Shift Nurses: Towards an Individualized Interventional Practice

Valentina Alfonsi et al. Front Hum Neurosci. .

Abstract

Rotating shifts (mostly 8- or 12-h) are common among nurses to ensure continuity of care. This scheduling system encompasses several adverse health and performance consequences. One of the most injurious effects of night-time shift work is the deterioration of sleep patterns due to both circadian rhythm disruption and increased sleep homeostatic pressure. Sleep problems lead to secondary effects on other aspects of wellbeing and cognitive functioning, increasing the risk of errors and workplace accidents. A wide range of interventions has been proposed to improve the sleep quality of nurses and promote an increase in attention levels. In recent years, particular attention has been paid to individual and environmental factors mediating the subjective ability to cope with sleep deprivation during the night shift. Given the predictive role of these factors on the negative impact of a night shift, an individualized intervention could represent an effective countermeasure by ensuring suitable management of shift schedules. Therefore, the aims of this mini-review are to: (a) provide an updated overview of the literature on sleep problems in night shift nurses and their adverse consequences; and (b) critically analyze the psychosocial factors that mediate the negative impact of shift work with the ultimate goal of defining an effective countermeasure based on an individualized approach.

Keywords: fatigue; health; night shift work; nurses; shift scheduling; sleep problem; sleepiness.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
“Fixed” and “Variable” inter-individual factors potentially explaining health and social impact of night shift work on nurses.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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