The Impact of Sleep Disturbances on Hospital Nurses: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: In any health care practice, nurses have a central role in patient care. Safe and effective care is dependent on the judgment and alertness of the nurse who delivers the care. It is therefore important to understand the effects of poor sleep quality on hospital nurses and how these may have a knock-on effect on patient care. Nurses' sleep occurs in short episodes and can be governed by the schedule and type of work they do. Nurses are at risk of circadian misalignment by working extended hours, performing repetitive or complex tasks, managing stress, and working irregular and rotating shifts. Sleep disturbances are common in the primary care setting and knowledge of chronic sleep disturbances among nurses in hospitals requires more systematic investigation. This is one of the first systematic reviews concentrating specifically on hospital nurses. The large body of evidence that has explored sleep disturbances in hospital nurses is currently unexplored. This review summarizes the currently available literature on the causes and effects of sleep disturbances in hospital nurses. We will synthesize the evidence from quantitative and qualitative studies relevant to this research question and will discuss the implications of their findings. The findings from this systematic review will provide an evidence synthesis of sleep disturbances in hospital nurses and aim to raise awareness of the issue for health care service providers and in patient safety. Methods: The Methods section of this systematic review on the impact of sleep disturbances on hospital nurses will outline the research design, data collection methods, and data analysis procedures used in the study. Conclusion: In conclusion, this comprehensive and systematic review thoroughly examines and sheds light on the remarkably substantial and noteworthy impact of sleep disturbances on the overall well-being, health, and performance in the workplace of hospital nurses. The findings of this study underscore the critically imperative nature of addressing and effectively managing sleep-related issues to enhance the overall quality of life and professional efficacy of nurses within healthcare settings. These findings serve as a clear and resounding call to action for healthcare institutions to prioritize and implement evidence-based strategies and interventions aimed at promoting optimal sleep health and facilitating the invaluable contributions of nurses to the delivery of exceptional patient care.