A survey of Physical, Psychological, and Social Health Indices in Shift Working Nurses

Background andObjectives: Nurses comprise a majority of healthcare professionals. Therefore, their quality of life can directly impact the performance of health system at different level. The aim of this study was to explore the potential impact of work shift on physical, mental, and social aspects of nurses’ health.   Methods: A sample of 300 nurses from hospitals of the Rasht city situated in northern Iran was randomly selected. Demographic and physical, psychological, and social health data were collected using corresponding researcher-designed questionnaires. Data were summarized using descriptive statistical methods.   Findings: The majority of subjects considered the effect of work shift on chronic fatigue (88.7%) and illness (85.3%) to be important. Work shifts was found to be a perceived cause of severe physical problems in 77.3% of nurses and a perceived causes severe psychological problems in 59% of nurses.   Conclusions: Give the high proportion of shift working nurses suffering from physical and mental problems, there is an urgent need for revising the currently established work shift program in the healthcare settings.