Page 203 - Petelin, Ana. 2020. Zdravje delovno aktivne populacije / Health of the Working-Age Population. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo ▪︎ Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
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k of sleep connection with the workability of nurses posterji | poster presentations
Melita Peršolja, Anamarija Mišmaš, Mihaela Jurdana
University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
Introduction: The shift work, a characteristic of the nursing profession, is a risk
factor for health. Because of the disturbed circadian rhythm of the employee,
shift work triggers several psychological and physical changes that, in turn, re-
duce the quality of work life. The consequences of shift work for healthcare
professionals and related insomnia are also reflected in over-eating, a higher
number of smoked cigarettes, a decrease in attention, increased fatigue, and
reduced work capacity. The purpose of the research was to determine the im-
portance of sleep for the workability of the nursing staff.
Methods: Using a quantitative non-experimental descriptive method of work
in the cross-sectional study, data were collected using the written survey tech-
nique. The research was conducted in a general hospital and two homes for
the elderly in Slovenia. 21,26 % (n= 81) of women employed in nursing care
from the surveyed institutions were included in the stratified sample by simple
random selection. Data obtained from the survey (Cronbach α=0,624) were
analyzed by descriptive statistics and by correlation analysis.
Results: Workplace wakefulness problems are associated with poorer well-be-
ing (r=0,236, p=0,034) and are more common when the nurse works more
night shifts in the month (r=-0,322, p=0,003). Respondents stated that the lack
of sleep increases the likelihood of errors at work (n= 60,74.1 %), slows down
the speed of responding to unexpected and urgent workplace situations (n=
58, 71,6 %) and affects their communication with patients (n= 48, 59,2 %).
Discussion and conclusions: Nursing work is continuous and it goes against the
biological predisposition of the individual. This can lead to problems in patterns
of wakefulness and sleep. Shift work affects most body functions, most notably
sleep, autonomic vegetative processes (metabolism, body temperature, heart
rate, blood pressure, hormone secretion), and performance. Lack of sleep af-
fects the cognitive responsiveness of the individual and can be prevented by
properly organizing a work schedule. Fatigue, however, is (on the contrary)
subjective and could be overlooked. This problem can be found in the results
of this and other surveys, where employees expressed satisfaction with the
work schedule, even though it contained a constant change in the rhythm and
extent of work shifts.
Key words: shift work, sleep deprivation, fatigue, nurses, quality of life
201
Melita Peršolja, Anamarija Mišmaš, Mihaela Jurdana
University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
Introduction: The shift work, a characteristic of the nursing profession, is a risk
factor for health. Because of the disturbed circadian rhythm of the employee,
shift work triggers several psychological and physical changes that, in turn, re-
duce the quality of work life. The consequences of shift work for healthcare
professionals and related insomnia are also reflected in over-eating, a higher
number of smoked cigarettes, a decrease in attention, increased fatigue, and
reduced work capacity. The purpose of the research was to determine the im-
portance of sleep for the workability of the nursing staff.
Methods: Using a quantitative non-experimental descriptive method of work
in the cross-sectional study, data were collected using the written survey tech-
nique. The research was conducted in a general hospital and two homes for
the elderly in Slovenia. 21,26 % (n= 81) of women employed in nursing care
from the surveyed institutions were included in the stratified sample by simple
random selection. Data obtained from the survey (Cronbach α=0,624) were
analyzed by descriptive statistics and by correlation analysis.
Results: Workplace wakefulness problems are associated with poorer well-be-
ing (r=0,236, p=0,034) and are more common when the nurse works more
night shifts in the month (r=-0,322, p=0,003). Respondents stated that the lack
of sleep increases the likelihood of errors at work (n= 60,74.1 %), slows down
the speed of responding to unexpected and urgent workplace situations (n=
58, 71,6 %) and affects their communication with patients (n= 48, 59,2 %).
Discussion and conclusions: Nursing work is continuous and it goes against the
biological predisposition of the individual. This can lead to problems in patterns
of wakefulness and sleep. Shift work affects most body functions, most notably
sleep, autonomic vegetative processes (metabolism, body temperature, heart
rate, blood pressure, hormone secretion), and performance. Lack of sleep af-
fects the cognitive responsiveness of the individual and can be prevented by
properly organizing a work schedule. Fatigue, however, is (on the contrary)
subjective and could be overlooked. This problem can be found in the results
of this and other surveys, where employees expressed satisfaction with the
work schedule, even though it contained a constant change in the rhythm and
extent of work shifts.
Key words: shift work, sleep deprivation, fatigue, nurses, quality of life
201
