Shift work and the psychosocial health of nurses

Aim of the study
To understand the impact of shift work on the psychosocial health of nurses.

Material and methods
The study used the method of a diagnostic survey, and the research tool was an original survey questionnaire. The research was conducted in 2020 on a group of 140 nurses working shifts. The obtained data were statistically analysed using the PQStat software.

Results
The results of the study showed that shift work has both positive and negative effects on the family relations and private life of nurses. According to the respondents, the day after working the night shift is not a day off. Shift workers returning from a night shift may be a traffic hazard, but this does not depend on the age of the respondents. Sleep disorders related to shift work do not cause a visible increase in the use of hypnotics among the respondents.

Conclusions
Most of the respondents noticed a deterioration in their health condition since they started working in shifts. With varying frequency after shifts, they felt exhausted, weakened, often irritable, and without energy. It is important to know the differences in the way you balance work and private life. More research is needed to gain a deeper understanding of this phenomenon. Theoretical studies suggest numerous disorders in the health condition of nurses working in shifts and night hours. However, in many cases there are divergent opinions as to the relationship between diseases and this type of work.