Attitudes towards rotating shift work in clinical nurses: a Q‐methodology study

Aims and objectives To identify clinical nurses’ attitudes towards rotating shift work. Background Many hospitals worldwide employ rotating shift work patterns to staff their facilities. Attitudes of clinical nurses towards rotating shift work vary. Design To understand clinical nurses’ attitudes towards rotating shift work, Q‐methodology, a method for the analysis of subjective viewpoints with the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative methods, was used. Methods Forty‐six selected Q‐statements from each of the 39 participants were classified into a normal distribution using an 11‐point bipolar scale. The collected data were analysed using pc‐QUANL program. Results Three discrete factors emerged as follows: factor I (rotating shift work is frustrating: objectionable perspective), factor II (rotating shift work is satisfactory: constructive perspective) and factor III (rotating shift work is problematic, but necessary: ambivalent perspective). Conclusions The subjective viewpoints of the three identified factors can be applied in developing various roster designs for nurses engaging in rotating shift work. Relevance to clinical practice The findings provide the baseline for nurse leaders in helping nurses adjust and deal with rotating shift work.