Exploring Factors Influencing Nurses’ Intershift Recovery and Its Effects on Progression From Acute Fatigue to Chronic Fatigue

Background

Occupational fatigue is a pressing concern among shift workers, notably nurses, leading to substantial costs related to lost productivity and sick leave. Intershift recovery (IR) is pivotal in preventing acute fatigue (AF) from evolving into chronic fatigue (CF). However, few studies have been conducted to evaluate factors associated with IR and examine its mediating role between AF and CF.

Purpose

To evaluate factors associated with nurses’ IR and IR’s mediating effect between AF and CF.

Methods

Findings reported in this article are part of a larger mixed-methods study. Data for the parent study were collected from 1,137 registered nurses (a 56.1% response rate) working in eight midwestern hospitals’ inpatient and critical care units. The study variables were measured using previously validated self-reported surveys. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess correlates of IR, and a path analysis was used to evaluate the mediating effect of IR.

Results

Daytime sleepiness and three work environment variables (staffing and resource adequacy, nurse-physician relationship, and leadership support) were the strongest predictors of IR. Adequate IR mitigated AF from progressing to CF.

Conclusion

The findings support the mediating role of IR in the progression of AC to CF. Modifiable personal and work environment variables are essential to enhance IR. Thus, hospital leadership should intervene by addressing the modifiable variables to develop appropriate policies to enhance their staff’s IR.