Order for this Paper or Similar Assignment Writing Help

Fill a form in 3 easy steps - less than 5 mins.

Posted: October 31st, 2023

Stress Management Practices for Nurses Working Night Shifts

Stress Management Practices for Nurses Working Night Shifts
Working night shifts can be challenging for nurses due to disruptions in circadian rhythms and difficulties obtaining quality sleep during the day. While night work is an inevitable aspect of nursing, especially in hospital settings, it is important that nurses adopt stress management practices to counteract the negative impacts of working at night on physical and mental health. This article explores effective stress management strategies nurses can employ while working night shifts.
Effects of Night Shift Work on Nurses
Research has consistently shown that night shift work can impair nurses’ sleep and increase stress levels. A study of 377 nurses found that those working rotating night shifts experienced more daytime sleepiness and used more sleep aids than nurses working day shifts only (Cheng et al., 2020). Other potential consequences of night work outlined in the literature include disrupted circadian rhythms, increased fatigue, higher risk of obesity, gastrointestinal issues, and cardiovascular problems (Morelock, 2017). Psychologically, night shift nurses report greater stress, anxiety, and depression than day shift counterparts (Books et al., 2020).
Stress Management Strategies for Night Shift Nurses
Several stress management practices have been found to help nurses cope with the challenges of night shift work:
Sleep Hygiene
Maintaining good sleep hygiene is essential for night shift nurses. This involves creating a dark, quiet sleeping environment and establishing a regular sleep schedule, even on days off (Crooks, 2017). Napping should be limited to 30 minutes to avoid sleep inertia upon waking (Morelock, 2017).
Exercise
Physical activity has been shown to reduce stress levels and improve sleep quality (Cheng et al., 2020). Nurses are advised to exercise for at least 30 minutes per day, preferably in the morning to help regulate circadian rhythms (Morelock, 2017).
Healthy Diet

Consuming a nutritious, balanced diet provides energy and supports overall health (Books et al., 2020). Night shift nurses should avoid heavy meals before sleeping and consume snacks containing complex carbohydrates and protein to maintain stable blood sugar levels through the night (Morelock, 2017).
Relaxation Techniques
Taking short breaks to practice deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or other relaxation techniques can help nurses manage stress levels during night shifts (Crooks, 2017). Even brief five-minute breaks have been found to improve alertness and job performance (Books et al., 2020).
Social Support
Seeking support from coworkers, friends, and family is important for coping with the challenges of night work. Speaking to others who understand the difficulties of shift work can help prevent feelings of isolation (Morelock, 2017). Maintaining social connections also provides non-work distractions to help disengage from job stressors (Cheng et al., 2020).
Conclusion
While night shift work inevitably disrupts circadian rhythms and sleep, adopting effective stress management practices can help nurses mitigate the negative physical and psychological impacts. Maintaining sleep hygiene, exercising, eating nutritious meals, practicing relaxation techniques, and utilizing social support systems are strategies shown to improve health outcomes and coping abilities for nurses working night shifts. Prioritizing self-care is essential for sustaining well-being in this demanding work environment.
Books, J., Bjorvatn, B., & Pallesen, S. (2020). Night work and metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Chronobiology International, 37(8), 1063–1074. https://doi.org/10.1080/07420528.2020.1767380
Cheng, P., Li, X., Lou, Y., Tu, X., & Yang, X. (2020). The impact of shift work on sleep quality, sleep duration, occupational stress and health status among Chinese female nurses: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 7(2), 168–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2020.02.002
Crooks, C. E. (2017). Sleep hygiene for night shift nurses. American Nurse Today, 12(5), 52–53.
Morelock, S. (2017). Strategies for success: Coping with night shift. Nursing Made Incredibly Easy, 15(4), 4–7. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NME.0000520831.68409.d2

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Why choose us

You Want Quality and That’s What We Deliver

Top Skilled Writers

Our writing team is assembled through a rigorous selection process, where we handpick accomplished writers with specialized expertise in distinct subject areas and a proven track record in academic writing. Each writer brings a unique blend of knowledge and skills to the table, ensuring that our content is not only informative but also engaging and accessible to a general college student audience

Discounted Prices

Competitive pricing is a cornerstone of our service, where we balance affordability with exceptional quality. In offering the best writers at rates that rival other writing services, we ensure that students can access top-notch content without breaking the bank unnecessarily. Our fair and transparent pricing structure is designed to provide value for money, making us a go-to choice for students seeking high-quality writing services at an affordable price.

100% Plagiarism-Free

Academic integrity is paramount to our writing service, which is why we produce original research and writing content for every paper. Each piece of work is carefully written from scratch, ensuring that every sentence, paragraph, and page is authentic and free from plagiarism. Our rigorous quality control process involves thorough scanning of every final draft, guaranteeing that the content meets the highest standards of originality and academic integrity. With keen attention to citation and referencing, we ensure that every source is properly credited, giving you complete peace of mind. We also have the best plagiarism checkers like safeassign and turnitin thus providing similarity score for each paper.

How it works

When you decide to place an order with Homework Ace Tutors, here is what happens:

Complete the Order Form

You will complete our order form, filling in all of the fields and giving us as much detail as possible.

Assignment of Writer

We analyze your order and match it with a writer who has the unique qualifications to complete it, and he begins from scratch.

Order in Production and Delivered

You and your writer communicate directly during the process, and, once you receive the final draft, you either approve it or ask for revisions.

Giving us Feedback (and other options)

We want to know how your experience went. You can read other clients’ testimonials too. And among many options, you can choose a favorite writer.