Unveiling the challenges encountered by newly graduated nurses during night shifts:A descriptive qualitative study

Objectives:Newly graduated nurses commence night shifts during a phase of heightened vulnerability to reality shock,exacerbating the challenges faced by these graduates.Therefore,this study aimed to identify the challenges experienced by newly graduated nurses when undertaking night shifts in order to help identify a strategy for supporting their adaptation to these shifts.Methods:Semi-structured personal interviews were used to collect data.Fifteen newly graduated nurses were selected to participate in the study by purposive sampling method from November 2021 to March 2022 in one of four general hospitals situated in the southwestern region of Japan.Semi-structured interviews were analyzed by using thematic analysis.Results:The analysis revealedfive central themes and nine subthemes:challenges in task efficiency(task organization challenges,challenges in time-constrained task performance),challenges in responding to patients’changing conditions(challenges in responding to patients’irregular conditions,challenges in responding to nighttime changes in patients’behaviors),challenges in independent practice(challenges in engaging in independent nursing practice,challenges in dealing with unexpected events),challenges in establishing collaborative relationships(challenges in working closely with other staff,challenges in establishing collaborative relationships during night shifts with limited resources),challenges in adapting to shift work(challenges in managing physical conditions for shift work).Conclusions:Newly graduated nurses often encounter challenges in performing their tasks during the transition period.When working night shifts,they face additional hurdles unique to nocturnal duties.Thefindings underscore the necessity for these graduates to develop night shift-specific readiness to effectively navigate the demands inherent in such work schedules.

Comparison of exogenous melatonin versus placebo on sleep efficiency in emergency medicine residents working night shifts： A randomized trial

BACKGROUND: Sleep deprivation resulting from night shifts, is a major cause of burnout among physicians. Exogenous melatonin may improve sleep quality in night-shift workers. The study aims to compare the effectiveness of melatonin versus placebo on sleep effi ciency in emergency medicine(EM) residents. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, replicated crossover trial was performed on EM residents. This study consisted of 4 phases within a month with intervention periods of 2 nights and washouts of 6 days. In our study, EM residents had nine-hour shifts on 6 consecutive days, 2 mornings, 2 evenings and 2 nights and then 2 days off. At the end of shifts' cycle, 24 EM residents were given 3 mg melatonin or placebo(12 in each arm of the study) for 2 consecutive nights after the second night shift with crossover to the other arm after a six-day off drug. This crossover intervention was repeated for two more another time. Finally, we created 48 cases and comparisons in each arm. Different items related to sleep quality were assessed and compared both within the same group and between the two groups. RESULTS: In the melatonin group, daytime sleepiness(calculated by Karolinska Sleep Scale) had a signifi cant reduction after taking the second dose of drug(P=0.003) but the same result was not observed when comparing the 2 groups. Mood status(calculated by Profile of Mood States) showed no remarkable difference between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Melatonin might have a limited benefi t on sleep quality in EM residents working night shifts.

Differences in Male Climacteric Symptoms and Lifestyle Depending on the Duration of Working among Rotating Night Shift Workers

Background: There are various health problems in rotating shift workers. There have been few studies on the associations of male climacteric symptoms with duration of working and lifestyle. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the differences in male climacteric symptoms depending on the number of working years and to determine whether lifestyle habits differ depending on the number of working years in rotating shift workers. Methods: We collected participant’s data from the manufacturing companies in Japan during the period from March to May in 2017. We conducted a self-administered questionnaire survey in 1561 male rotating night shift workers. Male climacteric symptoms were evaluated by using the Aging Males’ Symptoms (AMS) rating scale. We analyzed 636 rotating shift workers aged over 40 years old whose all AMS data was collected. Results: A significant difference in psychological AMS score was found between men who had worked for 10 - 19 years (9.4 ± 3.9) and men who had worked for more than 40 years (7.6 ± 3.0) (p = 0.011). Sexual functional AMS score significantly differed depending on the number of working years (less than 10 years: 8.1 ± 3.9, 10 - 19 years: 9.8 ± 4.1, 20 - 29 years: 7.9 ± 3.3, 30 - 39 years: 9.3 ± 3.5, more than 40 years: 9.3 ± 3.5) (p < 0.001). The proportion of workers with a balanced meal intake was significantly lower in men who had worked for less than 10 years and the proportions of such workers were significantly higher in men who had worked for 10 - 19 years and for more than 40 years. The proportions of men who did not drink alcohol were high in men who had worked for less than 10 years and 20 - 29 years and low in men who had worked more than 30 years. Conclusion: Psychological AMS score and sexual functional AMS score are significantly different among the 5 groups according to the number of working years on rotating shift. In addition, well-balanced diet on day shift and reduction of alcohol drinking is a related-factor for long-term rotating night shift workers.

The effect of Bach flower remedies on quality of life and sleep in hospital professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic

Background:Health-related quality of life and sleep are linked for hospital staff on the night shift.In the context of COVID-19 these workers have become a vulnerable group.The World Health Organization(WHO)warns that this pandemic is likely to have short-and long-term impacts on mental health.Despite the importance of this issue,there are few studies that propose strategies and interventions forcoping and adapting to the situation.Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of Bach flower therapy for improving the quality of life and sleep of night shift workers in the hospital setting during COVID-19.Methodology:Mixed methodology.Observational,analytical,longitudinal study,with case and control groups.A total of 150 health professionals who work on the night shift took part in the study,which consisted in participants taking Bach flowers orally.The SF-12v2,Oviedo Sleep Questionnaire,andan ad hoc questionnaire were applied pre and post intervention.Results:The mental health component,insomnia and emotion management,showed significant results in the intervention group(P=0.007,n=26)compared to the control group(P=0.202)in mental health and in insomnia(P=0.490,n=34).Other results show that 82.6%of the sample suffers from insomnia,of which 13.3%have severe symptoms and 38%show risk of depression.Conclusion:Bach Flower Remedies demonstrated to be effective in improving night shift workers’mental health component(measured with SF-12v2),insomnia and emotion management during the COVID-19 lockdown.Bach Flower Remedies could be used as a coping strategy in complex situations within the hospital setting.

Association of sleep characteristics and night shift work with self-reported diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome:a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study

Objective:To examine the association between sleep characteristics and night shift work and the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)in Chinese women and to investigate their relationship with infertility in PCOS.Methods:From March 21,2021 to April 31,2021,3927 Chinese women with or without PCOS were recruited online.All participants completed WeChat-based electronic questionnaires.Sleep characteristics were measured using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index.Results:A total of 2871 women were included in the final analysis.Sleep duration(odds ratio[OR],0.857;95%confidence interval[CI],0.763-0.963),sleep midpoint(OR,1.142;95%CI,1.049-1.244),sleep disturbance(OR,1.320;95%CI,0.957-1.146),daytime dysfunction(OR,1.136;95%CI,1.030-1.253),and night shift work(OR,1.628;95%CI,1.264-2.097)were associated with a higher risk of PCOS.After adjusting for confounders,including age,body mass index,smoking status,and coffee and tea drinking status,sleep disturbance(OR,1.314;95%CI,1.111-1.555),daytime dysfunction(OR,1.143;95%CI,1.034-1.264),and night shift work(OR,1.800;95%CI,1.388-2.333)remained associated.In addition,sleep disturbance(OR,1.887;95%CI,1.400-2.542)and subjective sleep quality(OR,1.299;95%CI,1.037-1.627)were associated with infertility in women with PCOS,and sleep disturbance(OR,1.750;95%CI,1.281-2.390)remained significant after adjusting for confounders.Conclusions:Sleep disturbance,daytime dysfunction,and night shift work are significantly associated with PCOS.Screening for sleep disturbances and providing appropriate treatment could be potential strategies for managing PCOS and its long-term complications.