Implications of circadian rhythm disruptions for nurse managers

Background/Aim: Treatment errors are implicated among the devastating effects of shift work, which impacts our circadian rhythms and takes a toll on nurses’ health and level of fatigue and safe practice. Therefore, an understanding of the role of biorhythms, especially circadian rhythms, is essential for nurse managers who must provide for“ coverage” while also being responsible for issues affecting patient safety and staff health and satisfaction. This paper will outline implications of circadian rhythm disruption for nurse managers. Methods: Review of the literature about circadian rhythms is followed by suggestions concerning shift work for nurses based on the writings of C. N. Hoskins. This concludes with a shared educational program for nurse managers. Summary, Implication: The shift schedule is important; it is one of the causes of unnecessary cost, decreased workers’ motivation, increased workers’ health problems, sleepiness and giving up their night shift work. When nurse managers make shift schedules, they should be concerned with circadian rhythms; this will enable a decrease in treatment errors while increasing the status of workers’ health