Associations Among Nurse Fatigue, Individual Nurse Factors, and Aspects of the Nursing Practice Environment.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationships among nurse fatigue, individual nurse factors, and the practice environment in the inpatient setting.
BACKGROUND: Nurse fatigue affects the quality of care provision on inpatient units. Scant literature exists regarding how aspects of the practice environment relate to nurse fatigue.
METHODS: A cross-sectional, correlational design was used in this survey study of 175 neonatal intensive care unit nurses from multiple hospitals. Data were collected using the Checklist Individual Strength questionnaire and the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed to examine the relationships.
RESULTS: Higher fatigue was significantly associated with more hours worked, fewer hours of sleep, a physical or mental contributor to fatigue, and a recent distressing patient event. Lower fatigue was significantly associated with better nurse manager ability, leadership, and support.
CONCLUSIONS: Nurse fatigue may be diminished with organizational and individual strategies. Developing tactics for nurse managers to better support staff members after a recent distressing patient event is indicated.