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How Do Nurses Cope with Shift Work? A Qualitative Analysis of Open-Ended Responses from a Survey of Nurses

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  • Michael Savic

    (Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Box Hill, VIC 3128, Australia
    Turning Point, Eastern Health, Richmond, VIC 3121, Australia
    Monash Addiction Research Centre, Frankston, VIC 3199, Australia)

  • Rowan P. Ogeil

    (Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Box Hill, VIC 3128, Australia
    Turning Point, Eastern Health, Richmond, VIC 3121, Australia
    Monash Addiction Research Centre, Frankston, VIC 3199, Australia)

  • Megan J. Sechtig

    (Turning Point, Eastern Health, Richmond, VIC 3121, Australia)

  • Peta Lee-Tobin

    (Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Box Hill, VIC 3128, Australia)

  • Nyssa Ferguson

    (Turning Point, Eastern Health, Richmond, VIC 3121, Australia)

  • Dan I. Lubman

    (Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Box Hill, VIC 3128, Australia
    Turning Point, Eastern Health, Richmond, VIC 3121, Australia
    Monash Addiction Research Centre, Frankston, VIC 3199, Australia)

Abstract

Nurses are frequently required to engage in shift work given the 24/7 nature of modern healthcare provision. Despite the health and wellbeing costs associated with shift work, little is known about the types of coping strategies employed by nurses. It may be important for nurses to adopt strategies to cope with shift work in order to prevent burnout, maintain wellbeing, and ensure high quality care to patients. This paper explores common strategies employed by nurses to cope with shift work. A workforce survey was completed by 449 shift working nurses that were recruited from a major metropolitan health service in Melbourne, Australia. Responses to open-ended questions about coping strategies were analysed using the framework approach to thematic analysis. Four interconnected main themes emerged from the data: (i) health practices, (ii) social and leisure, (iii) cognitive coping strategies, and (iv) work-related coping strategies. Although a range of coping strategies were identified, sleep difficulties often hindered the effective use of coping strategies, potentially exacerbating poor health outcomes. Findings suggest that in addition to improving nurses’ abilities to employ effective coping strategies on an individual level, workplaces also play an important role in facilitating nurses’ wellbeing.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Savic & Rowan P. Ogeil & Megan J. Sechtig & Peta Lee-Tobin & Nyssa Ferguson & Dan I. Lubman, 2019. "How Do Nurses Cope with Shift Work? A Qualitative Analysis of Open-Ended Responses from a Survey of Nurses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:20:p:3821-:d:274917
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hanne Irene Jensen & Jette West Larsen & Tina Damgaard Thomsen, 2018. "The impact of shift work on intensive care nurses’ lives outside work: A cross‐sectional study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(3-4), pages 703-709, February.
    2. Steven M. Reppert & David R. Weaver, 2002. "Coordination of circadian timing in mammals," Nature, Nature, vol. 418(6901), pages 935-941, August.
    3. Julianne Holt-Lunstad & Timothy B Smith & J Bradley Layton, 2010. "Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Meta-analytic Review," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(7), pages 1-1, July.
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    1. Al-Baraa Abdulrahman Al-Mekhlafi & Ahmad Shahrul Nizam Isha & Nicholas Chileshe & Mohammed Abdulrab & Anwar Ameen Hezam Saeed & Ahmed Farouk Kineber, 2021. "Modelling the Relationship between the Nature of Work Factors and Driving Performance Mediating by Role of Fatigue," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Chin Moi Chow, 2020. "Sleep and Wellbeing, Now and in the Future," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-4, April.
    3. Jung Hoon Park & Hyuntae Park & Seongryu Bae & Jiyeon Kang, 2023. "Associations between the Timing and Nutritional Characteristics of Bedtime Meals and Sleep Quality for Nurses after a Rotating Night Shift: A Cross-Sectional Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-12, January.

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