Survey and critique of studies related to shift length variations in nursing from 1970 to 1993.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe the current status, stage of staffing change, and findings of research relating to shift length variations in nursing. This was accomplished through a review of the literature to (a) evaluate the quality of the research, (b) summarize and draw conclusions related to variations in nursing shift length, and (c) identify gaps in the literature for the purpose of making recommendations for future studies related to nursing shift length variations. Multiple methods were utilized for locating potential studies to include in this project. Smith and Stullenbarger's (1991) Quality of Study instrument was used to rate the studies. None of the research reviewed explicitly identified a conceptual or theoretical framework or model, and few studies could be classified as scientifically rigorous. This study illuminates the state of the art and findings related to length of shift variations in nursing, and as such has implications for practice and research in nursing service administration.
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In the USA, shifts of ≥12 hours have been associated with poorer quality ratings.
“and have been associated with poorer quality ratings. 10,15”
From Nurses’ Shift Length and Overtime Working in 12 European Countries: The Association With Perceived Quality of Care and Patient Safety (2014) · cites this paper as [15]
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Griffiths, P., Dall’Ora, C., Simon, M., Ball, J., Lindqvist, R., Rafferty, A.-M., Schoonhoven, L., Tishelman, C., & Aiken, L. H. (2014) · Medical Care · doi:10.1097/mlr.0000000000000233 · Cited by 316 · see citing works
“In the past, research in this area has lacked a clear theoretical framework.(19) Recently, a simple model has been proposed, whereby increased fatigue during the shift mediates the effect of shift length on performance leading to errors, omissions, and lower efficiency.”
BackgroundImpact of 12 h shift patterns in nursing: A scoping review
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- Authors
- Bernreuter, M., & Sullivan, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (US)
- Venue
- International Journal of Nursing Studies
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1995-04
- Volume
- 32
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 188-197
- ISSN
- 0020-7489 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2163347842
- Cited by
- 17
- References
- 33
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2
- FWCI
- 7.66
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Nursing Studies (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Research and Theory › Nursing education and management
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Emergency Medicine › Hospital Admissions and Outcomes
- Keywords
- nurse staffing, nursing management, research quality
- MeSH terms
- Australia, Canada, Humans, Ireland, Nursing, Nursing Staff, Personnel Staffing and Scheduling, Time Factors, United States, Nursing Administration Research
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