The Relationship Between Work Shifts and Work Fatigue in Nurses in Delia Hospital in Langkat Regency in 2023

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 81 views

The Relationship Between Work Shifts and Work Fatigue in Nurses in Delia Hospital in Langkat Regency in 2023

Introduction

Work in the field of health services, such as the nurse profession, is often faced with work fatigue. Fatigue that is often experienced by workers with higher fatigue levels generally occurs in work with uncertain work schedules, longer working hours, and insufficient rest time. The survey results from PPNI (Indonesian National Nurses Association) showed that 50.9% of nurses working in four provinces in Indonesia experienced fatigue. This study aims to see the relationship between work shifts and fatigue in nurses in Delia General Hospital, Langkat Regency.

Methodology

This study uses analytic methods with a quantitative approach and cross-sectional research design. The sample in this study was 51 nurses who underwent work shifts. The level of fatigue in morning, afternoon, and evening shifts is measured using subjective fatigue questionnaires based on the Industrial Fatigue Research Committee (IFRC) scale and is categorized into four levels: low, medium, high, and very high.

Results

The results showed that the morning shift nurse had the highest level of fatigue at a low level, namely 27 nurses (52.9%), while the level of fatigue was being experienced by 24 nurses (47.1%). The afternoon shift nurse has the highest level of fatigue at a medium level, which is 36 nurses (70.6%), and the low level, which is 15 nurses (29.4%). The night shift nurse has the highest level of fatigue at a medium level, which is 35 nurses (68.6%), low levels, namely 13 nurses (25.5%), and high levels, namely 3 nurses (5.9%).

One Way Anova Test Results

One Way Anova test results show that there is a significant relationship between work shifts and the emergence of fatigue (p = 0,0001). This shows that work shifts, especially night shifts, have a significant influence on the level of fatigue in nurses.

Deeper Analysis

This finding shows that night shifts have a greater impact on the level of fatigue compared to morning and afternoon shift. This can be associated with several factors, such as:

*** Disorders of Sleep Patterns: *** Night shift disturb the body's natural circadian rhythm, making it difficult to get enough sleep and quality. ** Lack of Lighting: *** Lack of lighting at night can affect melatonin production, the hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. *** Work Pressure: *** Night shifts are often associated with higher work pressure, such as dealing with more critical patients and lack of team support.

Solution

It is important to make efforts to prevent and intervene to overcome work fatigue in nurses, especially those who work on night shifts. Some solutions that can be applied:

*** Applying a Flexible Shift Schedule: *** Reducing the duration of the night shift and provides sufficient rest time between the shift. *** Increasing Lighting at Work: *** Ensuring sufficient lighting in the workspace and resting area of the night shift nurse. *** Providing Stress Management Training: *** Equipping nurses with effective stress management techniques to deal with work pressure. *** Increasing Social Support: *** Building a supportive work environment and providing access to counseling services.

Conclusion

This study shows that work shifts have a significant relationship with the level of fatigue in nurses in Delia Hospital in Langkat Regency. Night shifts have a greater impact on fatigue, so it is necessary to prevent and intervene to minimize these negative impacts. Increasing welfare and health of nurses will have a positive impact on the quality of health services provided to patients.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Hospitals and healthcare institutions should implement flexible shift schedules to reduce the duration of night shifts and provide sufficient rest time between shifts.
Adequate lighting should be ensured in the workspace and resting area of night shift nurses.
Stress management training should be provided to nurses to equip them with effective techniques to deal with work pressure.
A supportive work environment should be built, and access to counseling services should be provided to nurses.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

The sample size was relatively small, and the study was conducted in a single hospital.
The study only measured fatigue levels using subjective fatigue questionnaires and did not collect data on other factors that may contribute to fatigue, such as work pressure and sleep quality.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to:

Investigate the relationship between work shifts and fatigue in nurses in other hospitals and healthcare institutions.
Examine the impact of flexible shift schedules, adequate lighting, and stress management training on fatigue levels in nurses.
Develop and implement effective interventions to reduce fatigue in nurses, such as counseling services and stress management training.

References

PPNI (2020). Survey on Fatigue in Nurses in Indonesia.
Industrial Fatigue Research Committee (IFRC) (2019). Guidelines for Measuring Fatigue in the Workplace.
American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) (2020). Sleep and Fatigue in Healthcare Professionals.

Note: The references provided are fictional and for demonstration purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Work Shifts and Work Fatigue in Nurses

Q: What is work fatigue, and how does it affect nurses?

A: Work fatigue is a state of physical, mental, or emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged periods of work, often accompanied by a lack of rest and relaxation. Nurses who experience work fatigue may exhibit symptoms such as decreased productivity, increased errors, and decreased job satisfaction.

Q: What are the common causes of work fatigue in nurses?

A: Common causes of work fatigue in nurses include:

Uncertain work schedules
Longer working hours
Insufficient rest time
Lack of sleep
High levels of stress
Physical and emotional demands of the job

Q: How does work shift affect work fatigue in nurses?

A: Work shift can significantly impact work fatigue in nurses. Night shifts, in particular, have been shown to have a greater impact on fatigue levels compared to morning and afternoon shifts. This is due to the disruption of the body's natural circadian rhythm, making it difficult to get enough sleep and quality.

Q: What are some solutions to prevent and intervene to overcome work fatigue in nurses?

A: Some solutions to prevent and intervene to overcome work fatigue in nurses include:

Applying a flexible shift schedule to reduce the duration of night shifts and provide sufficient rest time between shifts
Increasing lighting at work to ensure sufficient lighting in the workspace and resting area of night shift nurses
Providing stress management training to equip nurses with effective techniques to deal with work pressure
Increasing social support by building a supportive work environment and providing access to counseling services

Q: How can hospitals and healthcare institutions support nurses in reducing work fatigue?

A: Hospitals and healthcare institutions can support nurses in reducing work fatigue by:

Implementing flexible shift schedules
Providing adequate lighting in the workspace and resting area
Offering stress management training and counseling services
Building a supportive work environment
Encouraging nurses to take regular breaks and prioritize self-care

Q: What are some potential consequences of work fatigue in nurses?

A: Potential consequences of work fatigue in nurses include:

Decreased productivity and quality of care
Increased errors and patient safety risks
Decreased job satisfaction and morale
Increased turnover and absenteeism
Negative impact on patient outcomes and satisfaction

Q: How can nurses prioritize self-care and reduce work fatigue?

A: Nurses can prioritize self-care and reduce work fatigue by:

Taking regular breaks and prioritizing self-care
Engaging in stress-reducing activities, such as exercise or meditation
Seeking support from colleagues and supervisors
Prioritizing sleep and maintaining a healthy sleep schedule
Engaging in activities that promote relaxation and stress relief

Q: What are some resources available to support nurses in reducing work fatigue?

A: Some resources available to support nurses in reducing work fatigue include:

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) guidelines for reducing work fatigue
American Nurses Association (ANA) resources on work fatigue and self-care
Local and national support groups for nurses experiencing work fatigue
Online resources and webinars on stress management and self-care

Note: The resources provided are fictional and for demonstration purposes only.