EFFECTS OF SHIFT WORK ON SLEEP QUALITY AND MENTAL HEALTH OF NURSES

Abstract

The delivery of health care is also associated with shift work and, therefore, patient care can be delivered during the day as well as at night. Abnormal and extended working hours have been reported to cause significant effects on the nursing sleep and psychological health, as these staff members are the workforce behind 24-hour operations of a hospital. The disruptions in the normal circadian rhythms caused by night shifts have the propensity to cause a short duration of sleep, poor quality of sleep, and chronic fatigue. They can result in psychological outcomes such as stress and anxiety, being irritable and depressed due to these physiological disruptions, which ultimately influence the performance and patient safety at work. The stressful nature of the shift rotations also disrupts the social relations and the personal life, which increases the emotional exhaustion and burnout even more. Psychiatric and occupational health publications emphasize the fact that there is an adverse effect of regular exposure to rotating or night shifts on cognitive functioning, decision-making, and emotional stability. Moreover, one of these negative effects is made worse by the lack of organizational support and insufficient time between shifts to rest. To address this, evidence-based scheduling policies, education in sleep hygiene, and workplace interventions to support mental resilience are needed. Facilitating self-care activities, offering counseling services, and maintaining a healthy workload can reduce the harmful effects of shift work. In general, enhancement of nurse' sleeping quality and mental health is not just important for their own health but also for ensuring the quality and safety of patient care in healthcare facilities.

Keywords: Shift Work, Sleep Quality, Mental Health, Nurses, Fatigue, Burnout, Work Stress, Circadian Rhythm, And Healthcare Management.