Sleep Deprivation in Nurses and Their Health

Medically reviewed by
 Dr. Nayantara Santhi

Dr. Nayantara Santhi

Dr. Nayantara Santhi holds an academic position at Northumbria University. After completing her Ph.D. at Northeastern University (Boston, MA), she joined the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School as a post-doctoral fellow to research how sleep and circadian rhythmicity influence our cognitive functioning.

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Last Updated On November 24th, 2023
Sleep Deprivation in Nurses and Their Health

Key Takeaways

  • Sleep Deprivation is Prevalent Among Nurses: Many nurses suffer from sleep disturbances or problems trying to fall asleep, with as many as 60 percent of nurses experiencing sleep issues. This can significantly impact their overall well-being and job performance, as sleep-deprived individuals are more prone to making mistakes and have reduced cognitive abilities.
  • Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Nurses: Sleep deprivation can lead to mental fatigue, attention lapses, mood changes, and increased errors on the job for nurses, especially those working night shifts. The physical and emotional demands of nursing combined with irregular work hours make it challenging for nurses to get adequate sleep, potentially leading to burnout and other health problems.
  • Importance of Sleep for Nurses and Patient Safety: Sleep is crucial for nurses’ overall health, cognitive functioning, and job performance. Adequate sleep is essential to maintain physical and mental health, prevent errors in patient care, and reduce the risk of accidents. Employers and healthcare organizations play a role in supporting nurses’ sleep health by providing resources, managing stress, and limiting extended work hours.

The long and irregular hours that many nurses work, combined with the physical and emotional demands of the job, can make it difficult for nurses to get the sleep they need to stay alert and focused. The impact of sleep deprivation on nurses can be especially severe, as their work requires them to be alert and attentive for long periods of time, often with little opportunity for rest or recuperation.

“Why does shiftwork cause such a problem for performance?” says Dr. Nayantara Santhi. “The reason is that cognitive functioning is rhythmic and synchronized to our sleep-wake cycle. This rhythm is governed by a circadian process that sets internal time and a homeostatic process tracking sleep need. Their interaction generates a daily rhythm of deterioration and recovery in cognitive capacity over wake and sleep, respectively.”

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“So, performance is stable during a 16-h waking day, but declines precipitously as wakefulness extends into the night. This is why on night shifts people are at risk for mental fatigue, attentional lapses, changes in mood and increased errors on the job.”

In addition, the job’s stress and exposure to illness and disease can take a toll on a nurse’s mental and physical health. Not being able to fall asleep can lead to burnout, depression, and other health problems that can have a long-lasting impact on the nurse’s overall well-being.

Studies indicate Verified Source ScienceDirect One of the largest hubs for research studies and has published over 12 million different trusted resources. View source that as many as 60 percent of nurses suffer from sleep disturbance or problems trying to fall asleep. This can have severe consequences for the nurse’s well-being and patient safety, as sleep-deprived individuals are more prone to making mistakes and are less able to think and react quickly in emergencies. 

It is, therefore, essential that nurses take steps to prioritize their sleep health to protect both their well-being and that of their patients. This can involve lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a relaxing sleep environment, and finding ways to manage stress. By taking these steps to obtain adequate sleep, nurses can help ensure that they get the sufficient sleep they need to perform their best at work and in their personal lives.

Do Nurses Sleep Less?

Sleep is essential for individuals’ overall health and well-being, especially those in high-stress and physically demanding careers such as nursing. It is widely known that sleep deprivation can have severe impacts on physical, mental, and emotional health, as well as cognitive functioning and job performance. In the case of nurses, the long and irregular hours that many of them work, combined with their job’s physical and emotional demands, can often lead to sleep deprivation.

Studies have found that almost 70% of nurses in some fields suffer from sleep disturbance, with night shift work being a major contributing factor.

Shift work leads to a misalignment between the internal circadian clock and the sleep-wake cycle, leading to sleep problems such as insomnia and excessive sleepiness.

Furthermore, the job’s stress, exposure to illness and disease, combined with night shift work, can take a toll on a nurse’s mental and physical health, making it even harder to get enough restful sleep.

Nurses must be alert and attentive for long periods, often with little opportunity for rest or recovery. The lack of sufficient sleep can affect a nurse’s ability to perform their duties, leading to increased stress and the risk of medical errors or mistakes. Furthermore, insufficient sleep can impact their overall well-being, leading to burnout, depression, and other health problems. This can affect the nurse’s life outside of work and the quality of care they provide to their patients.

However, it is essential to note that the situation is not uniform across all nurses and may vary depending on the individual and their work environment. Some nurses may have more flexible schedules and a better work-life balance. In contrast, others may work longer and more irregular hours. Additionally, some nurses may have better sleep habits and be able to manage stress more effectively, which can positively impact their sleep quality.

The lack of sleep among nurses is a significant issue, with many nurses suffering from sleep deprivation due to the demands of their job. However, this situation is not universal, and many nurses can manage their sleep effectively despite the demands of their job. Nurses must prioritize their sleep health and ensure they get the rest they need to perform their best at work and in their personal lives.

Employers and healthcare organizations also have a role to play in addressing the sleep health of nurses by providing support and resources to help them manage stress, maintain healthy sleep habits, and ensure they fall asleep.

Why Are Sleep Problems Common Among Nurses?

Sleep problems are common among hospital nurses due to various job-related factors. Firstly, many nurses work long and irregular hours that can disrupt the natural circadian rhythm and lead to sleep disturbances. Nurses may have to work overnight, rotating, or extended shifts, making it challenging to maintain a consistent sleep schedule and get quality sleep.

Circadian misalignment occurs when a nurse’s internal clock is out of sync with their work schedule, with shift schedules and fast rotating shifts making it difficult to fall asleep and wake up at the right times.

This circadian misalignment can lead to fatigue, poor performance, and an increased risk of accidents on the job. It is also why nurses are so susceptible to developing shift work sleep disorder.

Secondly, the physical and emotional demands of the job can also contribute to sleep problems among nurses. Nurses are often required to work long hours on their feet, and caring for patients can take a toll on their mental and physical health. Additionally, exposure to illness and disease can also impact their overall health, making it harder to get restful sleep.

Also, the stress of the job can also contribute to sleep problems among nurses. Nursing is a high-stress profession, and nurses often must make critical decisions in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. Constant exposure to stress and anxiety can lead to sleep problems, including insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness.

In addition, the working conditions for nurses can also contribute to sleep problems. Nurses may work in noisy and brightly lit environments, which can impact their ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Furthermore, they may also be required to work in environments with a high risk of infection, which can cause stress and anxiety that can impact sleep quality.

Sleep problems are common among nurses due to the demanding nature of their job. The long and irregular hours, physical and emotional demands, stress, and working conditions can all contribute to sleep disturbances, making it essential that nurses prioritize their sleep health. Employers and healthcare organizations also have a role to play in addressing the sleep health of nurses by providing support and resources to help them manage stress, maintain healthy sleep habits, and ensure they have access to restful sleep.

Effects of Extended Work Hours

Increased Risk of Errors and Mistakes

Long work hours can lead to fatigue and decreased alertness, which can increase the risk of medical errors and mistakes in patient care. Nurses who work extended shifts are more likely to make medication errors, overlook vital signs or symptoms, or miss important aspects of patient care. This can have serious consequences for patient safety and well-being.

Physical Exhaustion

Prolonged standing and physical exertion are ordinary for nurses, and extended work hours can compound the physical strain on the body. This can lead to physical exhaustion, muscle strain, and injury. This can sometimes even result in long-term physical damage, such as back pain or repetitive strain injuries.

Mental Health Concerns

Chronic fatigue and burnout are common among healthcare workers, particularly nurses who work extended hours. This can lead to feelings of stress, depression, and anxiety and can take a toll on a nurse’s mental and emotional well-being. In some cases, this can even lead to substance abuse or addiction.

Decreased Job Satisfaction

Nurses who work extended hours may experience frustration, resentment, and burnout. This can result in reduced job satisfaction, leading to high turnover rates and a shortage of qualified nurses. It can also negatively impact the quality of care provided to patients.

Impaired Driving

Long hours and prolonged exposure to stress can also impair a nurse’s ability to drive safely. This can increase the risk of car accidents and other incidents, putting the nurse and others on the road in danger. This is a concern for nurses who work night shifts or are required to drive long distances to and from work.

Extended work hours can seriously affect nurses and patient safety. Employers are responsible for limiting the length of shifts and providing adequate rest breaks to ensure that their staff is well-rested and able to provide safe, effective care to patients. By addressing the dangers of extended work hours, employers can help prevent fatigue, promote workplace safety, and ensure the health and well-being of their staff and patients.

How Important Is Sleep For Nurses?

Sleep is essential for nurses and is crucial to their overall health and well-being. A lack of sleep can have severe impacts on a nurse’s physical, mental, and emotional health, as well as their cognitive functioning and job performance.

Sleep is essential for physical health. A lack of sleep can lead to a weakened immune system, making nurses more susceptible to illness and disease. Additionally, sleep deprivation can increase the risk of developing chronic conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Also, sleep is crucial for mental health. A lack of sleep can lead to increased stress and anxiety, negatively impacting a nurse’s overall well-being. Furthermore, sleep deprivation can also increase the risk of depression, which can further impact a nurse’s ability to perform their duties effectively.

Not only is sleep for mental health, but also sleep is essential for cognitive functioning. A lack of sleep can impair a nurse’s ability to think clearly and make decisions, which can be dangerous in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Additionally, sleep deprivation can impact a nurse’s ability to concentrate and remember important information, leading to the risk of errors and mistakes.

In addition, sleep is important for job performance. Nurses must be alert and attentive for long periods, and a lack of sleep can impact their ability to perform their duties effectively. The lack of sleep can also increase the risk of burnout, negatively impacting a nurse’s job satisfaction and overall well-being.

Sleep is essential for nurses and is crucial to their overall health and well-being. Nurses must prioritize their sleep health and ensure they get the rest they need to perform their best at work and in their personal lives. Employers and healthcare organizations also have a role to play in addressing the sleep health of nurses by providing support and resources to help them manage stress, maintain healthy sleep habits, and ensure they have access to restful sleep.

Burnout & Staffing Shortages Make Poor Sleep Worse

Burnout and staffing shortages, especially since the COVID pandemic have only worsened sleep problems for nurses, further exacerbating the challenges they face in maintaining their health and well-being.

Burnout is a significant contributor to sleep problems among nurses. Burnout can increase stress levels, leading to increased anxiety and depression, negatively impacting sleep quality. Additionally, nurses who experience burnout may find it difficult to switch off and relax, leading to difficulty falling and staying asleep.

In addition, staffing shortages can also contribute to sleep problems among nurses. Nurses who are required to work long hours, double shifts, or overnight shifts can find it challenging to maintain healthy sleep habits. The added stress of working in understaffed environments can also impact sleep quality, leading to increased fatigue and decreased job performance.

Staffing shortages can also increase the risk of work-related injuries, which can further impact the health and well-being of nurses. For example, nurses who are required to work long hours may be more susceptible to repetitive strain injuries or other physical stress injuries, which can have a long-term impact on their health.

Finally, staffing shortages can also impact the quality of care provided to patients, which can further increase the stress levels of nurses. For example, nurses who are working short-staffed may feel overwhelmed and unable to provide the level of care they believe is necessary, leading to increased stress and anxiety.

Sleep Loss Poses Health Risks For Providers

Sleep deprivation and other poor sleep habits pose serious health risks for healthcare providers, including nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. The demanding nature of the healthcare industry and long work hours can lead to sleep deprivation, which can profoundly impact both physical and mental health.

Sleep deprivation can weaken the immune system, making healthcare providers more susceptible to illness and disease. A lack of sleep can also increase the risk of chronic health conditions, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. These health problems can further impact healthcare providers’ ability to perform their duties and provide high-quality care to their patients.

Sleep deprivation can also impact mental health and increase stress levels. The high-pressure environment of the healthcare industry, combined with long work hours and sleep deprivation, can lead to burnout, which can negatively impact a healthcare provider’s overall well-being. Additionally, sleep deprivation can increase the risk of depression and anxiety, which can further impact a healthcare provider’s ability to perform their duties effectively.

Not only that, but sleep deprivation can impair cognitive functioning and decision-making ability. Healthcare providers must make quick, accurate decisions, and a lack of sleep can impair their ability to think clearly and make informed decisions. This can be particularly dangerous in high-pressure situations, where split-second decisions can have serious consequences.

Sleep deprivation can also impact job performance and satisfaction. Healthcare providers who are sleep deprived are more likely to make mistakes, leading to errors and increased risk to patient safety. Additionally, a lack of sleep can increase the risk of burnout, negatively impacting job satisfaction and overall well-being.

Sleep loss poses serious health risks for healthcare providers and must be addressed. Healthcare organizations can support their employees by promoting healthy sleep habits, providing adequate rest periods, and offering resources to help manage stress and sleep health.

Healthcare providers must also take responsibility for their sleep health by setting healthy sleep habits, prioritizing sleep, and seeking support when needed. By addressing sleep loss, healthcare organizations and providers can ensure that they can provide high-quality care to their patients while also protecting their health and well-being.

Recommended Safety Practices and Fatigue Countermeasures

Fatigue is a common issue Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source for healthcare workers, particularly nurses, who often work long hours in a physically and emotionally demanding environment. Chronic fatigue can lead to decreased productivity, increased medical errors, and a higher risk of accidents or injuries. Employers need to take steps to help prevent nurse fatigue and promote workplace safety.

Encourage Adequate Sleep

Ensuring that nurses get enough sleep each night is a critical component of fatigue countermeasures. A consistent sleep schedule and a relaxing bedtime routine can help improve sleep quality.

Promote Physical Activity

Regular physical activity and exercise can help with health, reducing stress and improving energy levels to prevent fatigue. Encouraging nurses to take short daily breaks to stretch or move around can also help combat fatigue.

Manage Stress

Stress significantly contributes to fatigue and burnout among healthcare workers. Implementing stress management techniques such as deep breathing and visualization can help nurses manage stress and prevent fatigue.

Limit Shift Lengths

Long shift lengths can contribute to fatigue, so employers need to limit the size of shifts and provide adequate rest breaks. Consider scheduling consecutive days off to allow for sufficient recovery time.

Provide Appropriate Equipment

Providing ergonomic equipment, such as adjustable beds and chairs with seat cushions, can help reduce physical stress and prevent fatigue.

Foster a Supportive Work Environment

A workplace that values and prioritizes sleep, encourages open communication, and provides support and resources for sleep-related problems and disorders can help prevent nurse fatigue and promote workplace safety.

Improving Nurses Sleep

So to sum it up, here is how can we improve sleep quality for healthcare workers:

Safety practices are essential for preventing poor sleep, nurse fatigue, and promoting workplace safety. Employers are responsible for supporting their staff and providing the necessary resources to help them maintain their health and well-being. Health care providers can help prevent nurse fatigue and ensure a safe and healthy workplace for all by promoting adequate sleep, physical activity, stress management, and a supportive work environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does sleep deprivation affect nurses?

Poor sleep impacts physical health and impairs the performance of tasks that require intense and prolonged attention. Prolonged sleep loss causes healthcare workers to increase the number of errors in patients’ care and lower patient care quality. Sleep deprivation also puts nurses at an increased risk of being involved in a car accident, especially in the early morning after a long night of shift work.

Why is sleep so important for nurses?

According to sleep research, Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source if a nurse works for more than 12 hours in a row or goes to work after not getting enough sleep, not only are they putting their patients’ health at risk. Not only that, but they are also putting their own health at risk, and if they drive home while tired, they are also putting the general public’s health at risk. The evidence is overwhelming that this practice is harmful to everyone’s health.

How do night shift work nurses stay awake?

There are a lot of tools night shift nurses use for addressing nurse fatigue. Healthcare workers are taught to move around, stretch out, and get some exercise. When sleep-deprived, blood will continue to circulate, and your mind will remain alert if you keep your body moving.

Also, talk with other people and shift workers. A conversation will help you avoid falling asleep because it stimulates your thoughts and keeps you alert, so you do not fall asleep.

Do nurses experience shift work sleep disorder?

Yes, and there is a lot of sleep research to back this up, especially shift work nurses. The prevalence of SWSD among shift worker nurses was over 25 percent, Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source according to one study. Nearly half of the shift worker nurses experience difficulties with sleep hygiene, sleep duration, excessive daytime sleepiness, and getting at least seven hours of sleep per night.

How can a night shift nurse live a normal life?

A night shift nurse can live a normal life by establishing a consistent sleep schedule and creating a dark and quiet sleep environment. During the day they can maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine and find ways to relax and unwind after work, especially as part of a bedtime routine. Additionally, seeking support from friends, family, and coworkers can help with the transition to a night shift schedule.

Conclusion

Sleep deprivation is a significant problem for healthcare workers, particularly nurses, who often work long hours in a physically and emotionally demanding environment. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to decreased productivity, increased medical errors, and a higher risk of accidents or injuries. It can also have serious consequences for a nurse’s physical and mental health, including fatigue, burnout, and chronic health conditions.

Employers have a responsibility to support their staff and promote healthy sleep habits. This can include implementing fatigue countermeasures, such as encouraging regular exercise, promoting stress management techniques such as deep breathing exercises, and fostering a supportive work environment.

Employers can also limit the length of shifts, provide appropriate equipment, and offer resources and support for sleep-related problems and disorders such as a space to sleep at work when needed. By addressing the issue of sleep deprivation, employers can help prevent fatigue, promote workplace safety, and ensure the health and well-being of their staff and patients.

It is important to prioritize the importance of sleep and prioritize its role in maintaining the health and safety of healthcare workers. By taking steps to improve sleep quality and prevent sleep deprivation, employers can help create a safe and healthy workplace for all.


About the author

Eric Ridenour is a health and wellness writer with a strong focus on sleep and nutrition. With a background in health science and psychology, Eric has a deep understanding of the connection between sleep and overall well-being. His expertise has been sought by various businesses and individuals, and his work has been featured in reputable publications such as Thrive Global, Drug Report, and Authority Magazine. Eric's commitment to promoting better sleep and comprehensive wellness is evident in his writing and consultations. He is a published author working on his second book.

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