PERFORMANCE OF PERMANENT VERSUS ROTATING NIGHT NURSES: CIRCADIAN-RELATED FACTORS (RHYTHMS, SHIFTWORK, ROTATION).
Contributors: Columbia University. Teachers College.
Published: 1986
Number of pages: 162
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: In order to study the relationship of night shift system and performance, permanent (n = 38) and rotating (n = 38) night nurses from one New York City hospital were compared on supervisor's ratings and a series of measures linked theoretically with night work performance. Circadian rhythms theory provided the framework for the study. The additional measures included self-reported adaptation to night work, fatigue, general activation, sleepiness, stress, as well as absence behavior, and quantity of sleep obtained during the study period.

A multivariate analysis of covariance that included the Vigor scale from the Circadian Type Questionnaire and years of nursing experience as covariates did not yield an overall significant multivariate test for group differences, but the univariate analysis of covariance produced F-tests that were significant for supervisor's ratings, adaptation, and fatigue. On these measures, permanent night shift nurses demonstrated higher supervisor's ratings, greater adaptation to night work, and less fatigue. The findings suggested that permanent night shift nurses may perform better than rotating night shift nurses. Although replication is warranted in view of the nonsignificant multivariate test, it was concluded tentatively that nursing administrators should be encouraged to enact policies favoring permanent assignment to night work.

In addition, among the permanent night shift nurses studied, evening chronotypes exhibited higher supervisor's ratings, greater adaptation, and less fatigue than morning chronotypes. This was not the case among rotating shift workers. Thus evening types as identified by the Circadian Type Questionnaire may be better candidates for permanent night shift assignment than morning chronotypes.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-03, Section: B, page: 0991.

Thesis (ED.D.)--COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY TEACHERS COLLEGE, 1986.

School code: 0055.