Purpose: To clarify the differences in sleep quality and fatigue among shift-working nurses based on age. Design: A descriptive correlation design using self-administered surveys. Methods: Questionnaires on fatigue, sleep satisfaction, and sleep quality (the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; PSQI-J) among shift work nurses were distributed to 1190 nurses in Japan from July 2023 to August 2023. Results: Sleep satisfaction daily (p < 0.001) and pre-night shift sleep duration (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the younger group, who also experienced a longer time to fall asleep (p = 0.014) and longer daytime naps before (p = 0.024) and after the night shift (p = 0.007). In addition, the older group experienced higher fatigue levels both daily (p = 0.038) and night shifts (p = 0.006). More morning-type nurses were observed in the older than in the younger age group (p = 0.001). No significant differences were noted in PSQI between the two groups. Conclusions: The older age group experienced higher levels of both regular fatigue and night shift fatigue compared to the younger group, suggesting they may not be getting sufficient rest after work. Although their sleep duration was shorter than that of the younger group, sleep quality was low in both groups, with 60% reporting poor sleep quality.
KeywordsShift WorkNurseAgeFatigueSleep Quality
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