Malawi medical journal : the journal of Medical Association of Malawi

How rotating shift work affects nurses' sleep quality and length

Updated

Abstract

Night shift work is associated with significant reductions in sleep quality and duration among nurses.

  • A total of 24 female nurses engaged in rotating shift work were compared to 22 female nurses not performing night duties.
  • Analysis showed a significant effect of shift phase on total sleep duration and perceived sleep quality.
  • Night shifts led to poorer sleep quality and shorter sleep duration compared to day shifts.
  • The negative effects on sleep persisted into the recovery days following night shifts, suggesting accumulation of fatigue.

Simplified

what lands in your inbox each week:

  • 📚7 fresh studies
  • 📝plain-language summaries
  • direct links to original studies
  • 🏅top journal indicators
  • 📅weekly delivery
  • 🧘‍♂️always free