Challenges Faced by Nurses during Night Shifts: A Literature Review

Background: Nursing, due to its unique nature, often involves rotating shifts, impacting both the physical and psychological well-being of nurses. Night shifts in nursing bring about socio-cultural and ethical challenges, which are not confined to Iran but extend to family-oriented countries like Pakistan, Japan, and developed nations. In Iran, night work remains a persistent issue in the nursing community, leading to numerous requests from nurses who feel compelled to work during the day to sustain their employment, even affecting experienced nurses. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in various academic databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, and Jstore. Keywords used for the search included night shift nurses, night shift challenges, night shift work, nurse well-being, and nurse-patient ratio. The inclusion criteria were studies published in English from 2010 to 2021, focusing on challenges faced by nurses during night shifts. A total of 25 relevant studies were selected for this review. Results: Prolonged exposure to night shift work has been linked to a range of physical and mental health issues, including increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, obesity, depression, and anxiety. Nurses working night shifts are more susceptible to these health concerns. Furthermore, alertness and performance levels tend to decline during the night, leading to potential errors in medication administration, documentation, and communication. These errors can compromise patient safety and lead to adverse outcomes Conclusion: Nurses working during night shifts face a multitude of challenges that impact their physical and mental well-being, as well as the quality of patient care they provide. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach, including implementing effective staffing strategies, providing resources for better sleep hygiene, offering mental health support, and fostering a culture of well-being within healthcare institutions. Recognizing and mitigating the challenges faced by nurses during night shifts is crucial for ensuring the overall health and safety of both healthcare professionals and their patients