Student nurses' views on shift patterns: What do they prefer and why? Results from a Tweetchat

Aim

The main aim of the study was to understand student nurses’ views around shift patterns.

Design

Qualitative study.

Method

We held a Tweetchat in May 2019, where we asked questions around the frequency of 12‐hr shifts working on placement; schedule flexibility while on placement; which shift patterns they preferred and why. Data from the Tweetchat were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to generate themes from initial codes.

Results

Seventy‐three nursing students participated in the Tweetchat. The majority reported that they work 12‐hr shifts on placements, particularly when based in a hospital. We identified three themes: ‘Achieving a personal equilibrium’; ‘Meeting the needs of the care environment’; ‘Factors affecting negotiation capacity’. Data highlighted a conflict for most students, where they preferred 12‐hr shifts because of more time off for study, paid work and leisure, while acknowledging 12‐hr shifts negatively affected their fatigue, exhaustion and led them to follow a poor diet and neglect exercise and sleep.

Health and safety risks affecting part-time nursing students

Background

Professional nurses who are employed full-time can study their postgraduate programmes part-time to add to the basic qualification they obtained through relevant institutions of higher education like universities or colleges. Although there are advantages for part-time study such as improvement of qualifications, enhancement of personal development and increased chance of promotion, there are disadvantages as well, which includes keeping a job, attending to family and social responsibilities, time management to ensure that studying is done after work or in-between work and other activities, attending to assignments and complying with the requirements to acquire the qualification.

Aim

This study aimed to explore health and safety risks faced by nurses who work and study part-time.

Setting

The study was conducted at a university in Gauteng province, South Africa. Nurses who undertake part-time studies at this university were the focus of study.

Method

The research design used in the study was an exploratory, quantitative method that was contextual in nature. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that comprised of demographical and health and safety aspects. Data were analysed by means of descriptive statistics using the Statistics package for Social Sciences version 26.

Results

Research findings indicated that students who study part-time experience health and safety risks such as fatigue (n = 86; 49%), stress (n = 95; 54%), sleep disorders (n = 60; 34%), poor eating habits (n = 123; 70%), abuse of caffeine (n = 91; 52%) and are prone to road accidents (n = 54; 31%).

Conclusion

Nurses who work and study part-time need support from their employers and families. Employers should grant study leave as a way of support.

Presenteeism: Nurse perceptions and consequences

AIMS

To describe factors leading to and consequences of nurse presenteeism.

BACKGROUND

Presenteeism is more prevalent among nurses than other occupational groups. Existing literatures focuses on prevalence and consequences of presenteeism for patients, health care organizations, and nurses. However, we lack understanding of nurse perceptions of factors leading to and consequences of presenteeism.

METHODS

A total of 295 free responses to a cross-sectional survey were analysed using conventional content analysis.

RESULTS

Nurses consider multiple factors in deciding how to respond when presentee. These include illness, staffing, availability of leave time, patients, financial constraints and guilt. Consequences of presenteeism identified were decreased mental acuity and attitude leading to lessened communication both in-person and in documentation, transmission of illness, and decline in unit culture, patient care, and nurse health and well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple factors lead to nurse presenteeism and there are negative consequences to nurses' health, work environment and patient care outcomes.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

This study leads to key discoveries to the reasons for and consequences of nurse presenteeism. Many of the factors leading to presenteeism can be addressed through culture and policy changes within organizations. The consequences to patient care outcomes and the work environment emphasize the importance of addressing presenteeism.

Health-promoting behaviours of Iranian nurses and its relationship with some occupational factors: A cross sectional study

AIM

To assess the prevalence of health-promoting behaviours (HPBs) and their associations with some occupational factors among nurses.

BACKGROUND

Health-promoting behaviours are significant indicators of health status. Nurses' HPBs may have a direct impact on patients' care and safety.

METHODS

A descriptive, questionnaire design was conducted among nursing staff (n = 136) in a district hospital in Iran during 2015. Data was collected using a two-part questionnaire, which included the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. Data was analysed using the Pearson correlation coefficient, and independent t and ANOVA tests (α = .05).

RESULTS

The stress-management and physical activity dimensions had the lowest mean score and health responsibility had the highest. The HPBs of nurses with rotating/irregular shifts, contract employment, and low income were significantly lower.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses' HPBs should be promoted in the stress management and physical activity dimensions. In this regard, contract nurses, shift nurses, and low-income nurses are the priorities.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Nurse managers should give more attention to promote nurses' HPBs especially in the areas of stress management and physical activity through implementation of healthy lifestyle programs. Nursing policy makers should give attention to permanent recruitment and improving salary as a strategy to improve nurses' HPBs.