Older nurses found that night shift work presents unique challenges such as battling natural sleep patterns, managing fatigue, and juggling personal responsibilities; nurses often experience disrupted and insufficient sleep, feel tired, and struggle with health concerns. However, fatigue management support systems, and life changes, such as children growing up, can make night shifts more manageable over time. Nurses on night shifts often struggle to get enough quality sleep during the day, and that can lead to lower performance, fatigue, and even health problems such as Shift Work Sleep Disorder, a condition characterized by insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness. Many nurses choose night shifts for greater daytime flexibility and work autonomy, even though it can harm their sleep, job performance, and physical and mental health. Fatigue from poor sleep can decrease nurses’ clinical judgements and increase the risk of errors and injuries at work. Older nurses are particularly affected, as their ability to sleep during the day tends to decline with age. Most participants agreed that the first night shift after a break was the hardest. This was especially true if they could not nap beforehand. Many reported feeling unprepared and exhausted during these shifts, with one nurse describing it as “hit or miss.” Most nurses felt they were never fully rested while working nights. Even when they adjusted their schedules, obstacles like poor sleep quality or interruptions made it difficult to obtain enough recovery sleep. Most night shift workers switch to a regular daytime schedule on days off, and this switching back and forth was a constant struggle for these nurses. Participants described needing to adjust their sleep patterns during days off, creating ongoing disruptions to their natural rhythms. Many participants shared that they often stayed awake for 24 hours or more when transitioning into or out of night shifts. Older nurses and those with grown children reported a noticeable improvement in their ability to prioritize sleep. Without childcare responsibilities, they felt less exhausted and were more intentional about self-care, describing this as a significant relief in self-sacrifice.
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Sunday, March 23, 2025