Majken Epstein1, Marie Söderström1,2, Maria Jirwe3,4, Philip Tucker5,6, Anna Dahlgren1. 1. Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. 2. Stressmottagningen/Stress clinic, Stockholm, Sweden. 3. Department for health promoting science, Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, Sweden. 4. Division of Nursing, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden. 5. Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden. 6. Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, UK.
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore newly graduated nurses' strategies for, and experiences of, sleep problems and fatigue when starting shiftwork. A more comprehensive insight into nurses' strategies, sleep problems, fatigue experiences and contributing factors is needed to understand what support should be provided. BACKGROUND: For graduate nurses, the first years of practice are often stressful, with many reporting high levels of burnout symptoms. Usually, starting working as a nurse also means an introduction to shiftwork, which is related to sleep problems. Sleep problems may impair stress management and, at the same time, stress may cause sleep problems. Previously, sleep problems and fatigue have been associated with burnout, poor health and increased accident risk. DESIGN AND METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nurses (N = 11) from four different Swedish hospitals, and qualitative inductive content analysis was used. The study was approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board in Stockholm. The COREQ checklist was followed. RESULTS: Many nurses lacked effective strategies for managing sleep and fatigue in relation to shiftwork. Various strategies were used, of which some might interfere with factors regulating and promoting sleep such as the homeostatic drive. Sleep problems were common during quick returns, often due to difficulties unwinding before sleep, and high workloads exacerbated the problems. The described consequences of fatigue in a clinical work context indicated impaired executive and nonexecutive cognitive function. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that supporting strategies and behaviours for sleep and fatigue in an intervention for newly graduated nurses starting shiftwork may be of importance to improve well-being among nurses and increase patient safety. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study highlights the importance of addressing sleep and fatigue issues in nursing education and work introduction programmes to increase patient safety and improve well-being among nurses.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore newly graduated nurses' strategies for, and experiences of, sleep problems and fatigue when starting shiftwork. A more comprehensive insight into nurses' strategies, sleep problems, fatigue experiences and contributing factors is needed to understand what support should be provided. BACKGROUND: For graduate nurses, the first years of practice are often stressful, with many reporting high levels of burnout symptoms. Usually, starting working as a nurse also means an introduction to shiftwork, which is related to sleep problems. Sleep problems may impair stress management and, at the same time, stress may cause sleep problems. Previously, sleep problems and fatigue have been associated with burnout, poor health and increased accident risk. DESIGN AND METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nurses (N = 11) from four different Swedish hospitals, and qualitative inductive content analysis was used. The study was approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board in Stockholm. The COREQ checklist was followed. RESULTS: Many nurses lacked effective strategies for managing sleep and fatigue in relation to shiftwork. Various strategies were used, of which some might interfere with factors regulating and promoting sleep such as the homeostatic drive. Sleep problems were common during quick returns, often due to difficulties unwinding before sleep, and high workloads exacerbated the problems. The described consequences of fatigue in a clinical work context indicated impaired executive and nonexecutive cognitive function. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that supporting strategies and behaviours for sleep and fatigue in an intervention for newly graduated nurses starting shiftwork may be of importance to improve well-being among nurses and increase patient safety. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study highlights the importance of addressing sleep and fatigue issues in nursing education and work introduction programmes to increase patient safety and improve well-being among nurses.
Authors: Ayşegül Erdoğan; Deniz Tuncel Berktaş; Ali Nuri Öksüz; Ahmet Rıza Şahin; Burhan Fatih Koçyiğit Journal: Egypt J Neurol Psychiatr Neurosurg Date: 2022-05-20
Authors: Anna Dahlgren; Philip Tucker; Majken Epstein; Petter Gustavsson; Marie Söderström Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2022-01-24 Impact factor: 4.948
Authors: Anna Dahlgren; Philip Tucker; Aleksandra Bujacz; Elin Frögéli; Ann Rudman; Per Gustavsson Journal: Scand J Work Environ Health Date: 2021-04-30 Impact factor: 5.024
Authors: Osama Y Kentab; Ahmad AAl Ibrahim; Khaled R Soliman; Muna Aljahany; Abdulaziz I Alresseeni; Abdulaziz S Algarni Journal: Open Access Emerg Med Date: 2021-07-28