A systematic review to assess Sleep Disturbances among Hospital Nurses

Abstract

Background: Nurses, who form a significant portion of the healthcare workforce, are frequently exposed to physical and psychological stressors, particularly due to shift work, which leads to sleep disturbances and adverse health outcomes. Sleep disturbances among hospital nurses are common, especially among those working night shifts, contributing to fatigue, burnout, and decreased work performance, all of which negatively impact patient care.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted to explore the prevalence and factors contributing to sleep disturbances among hospital nurses. Searches were performed on PubMed and Embase using keywords related to sleep disturbances, shift work, nurses, and workload. A total of 55 studies were selected for inclusion, and the findings were synthesized to examine sleep patterns, physiological and demographic influences, and coping strategies among nurses.
Results: The review revealed that a significant number of nurses experience sleep disturbances, with night shift workers particularly affected. Studies from various countries, including Thailand, the U.S., India, and Saudi Arabia, reported that nurses averaged less than seven hours of sleep per night, leading to chronic sleep deprivation and associated health issues. Factors such as shift work, age, gender, caffeine consumption, and poor dietary habits were identified as contributing to sleep disturbances. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these issues, with increased stress and fatigue. Sleep deprivation was linked to cognitive and behavioral impairments, including errors in patient care, burnout, and increased injury rates.
Conclusion: Sleep disturbances among hospital nurses are a significant issue that requires targeted interventions. Strategies such as bright light exposure, brief naps, shift reorganization, and behavioral interventions may help alleviate sleep problems. However, further research is needed to tailor these interventions to the specific needs of nurses working in diverse healthcare settings.