Shift Work, Psychological Health Disorders, and Job Security Among Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Shift work is prevalent among nurses, often leading to adverse psychological effects, such as fatigue, depression, anxiety, and stress. Understanding how shift work contributes to psychological health disorders can help healthcare organizations identify critical areas where support should be offered. This study aimed to determine the relationships between shift work, psychological health disorders, and job security among nurses in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 163 nurses, recruited via convenience sampling. The participants completed an online questionnaire that assessed demographic variables, psychological disorders, fatigue, and job security. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics as well as bivariate analyses to explore relationships between variables.

RESULTS

Most participants (73%) worked 12 h shifts, and 67.5% reported fair sleep quality. We found significant correlations among shift work, fatigue, and common psychological disorders. Significant differences were also observed for fatigue ( = 0.007) and depression ( = 0.008). Both nationality ( < 0.001) and shift work ( = 0.015) were correlated with anxiety. Similarly, significant differences were found for nationality ( = 0.001) and shift work ( = 0.002) regarding stress.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings underscore the psychological challenges faced by nurses related to shift work, emphasizing the importance of addressing fatigue and mental health. Healthcare organizations should implement strategies to enhance job security and support nurses' well-being to ultimately improve both nurse satisfaction and patient care outcomes. Further research is warranted to explore effective interventions and the long-term effects of shiftwork on nursing professionals.