Impact of Shift Change on Sleep Disturbances in Nursing Staff

Abstract

Health care workers change shifts every 8 to 12 hours, totaling between 30 and 40 hours per week, allowing them to sleep during the day and perform their activities at night. The human body is programmed to be alert during the day and to sleep at night, keeping the natural rule of light and darkness, cycles related to mood, physical strength, and performance. Night working hours break the workers’ circadian rhythm and produce cognitive and physical dysfunctions. Sleep disturbances cause drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, irritability, attention deficit, and decreased work performance. Together, these symptoms contribute significantly to the high risk of accidents and illnesses among night shift workers, especially in the health area. The satisfactory sleep needs of health care professionals are a current health concern for individuals and for society in general because these professionals can be predisposed to various sleep disorders due to high levels of stress and workload.