PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in sleep, fatigue, and neurocognitive function between shift nurses and non-shift nurses.
METHODS
A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. A total of 100 nurses participated in the study. 50 were shift nurses and the remaining 50 were non-shift nurses. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Fatigue Severity Scale, and a computerized neurocognitive function test (CNS Vital Signs-VS4) were administered to the subjects to assess verbal and visual memory, processing speed, reaction time, and simple attention. After the last night shift, the shift nurse conducted the study at around 8:00 am and the non-shift nurse participated after work.
RESULTS
Compared to non-shift nurses, shift nurses had a significantly lower sleep quality (p=.002) and higher fatigue (p=.001) and achieved significantly lower scores on verbal memory (p=.001), processing speed (p=.003), and reaction time (p=.018). There were significant correlations between sleep quality and processing speed (p=.042), and reaction time (p=.015) of shift nurses who were bad sleepers.
CONCLUSION
This study findings suggest shift work could interfere with cognitive function. Personal and organizational programs should be developed to support their sleep and neurocognitive function.

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