A Pilot Study to Examine the Relationship Between Napping and Fatigue in Nurses Practicing on the Night Shift.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to explore the relationship of night-shift napping on fatigue. BACKGROUND Nurses' fatigue, especially at night, interferes with quality of life and job performance and impacts safety and health. METHODS Night-shift nurses completed the Brief Fatigue Inventory and a demographic information sheet to determine differences in fatigue between nurses who napped during their night shift as compared with nurses who did not nap. RESULTS No statistically significant differences in global fatigue were found; differences in rotating shift, age, and, gender were identified. Rotating shifts, a 2nd job, and caring for family predicted fatigue. CONCLUSIONS Based on this pilot study, further investigations of fatigue among night-shift nurses are needed as well as evidence-based support to promote sleep.