Date of Award
11-2014
Document Type
Independent Study
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
Insufficient sleep can lead to a variety of cognitive problems such as impaired learning ability, slow thought processes, slower reaction time, poor mood, risky decision-making, inattention, diminished communication skills, and the danger of falling asleep during critical times. Sleep deprived shift nurses are a risk for making erTors and developing health problems. The purpose of this independent study is to detennine the best evidence to prevent sleep deprivation in shift nurses.
A comprehensive review of the literature was perfonned to detennine best practices of preventing sleep deprivation in shift nurses. Literature searches using CINAHL, Medline, Medline Plus, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Psych Info, and MeSH were conducted to gather evidence-based information. Keywords included sleep deprivation, sleep disorder, fatigue, shift nurse or a combination of those words. Other sources of infonnation were used from Emory Sleep Center, National Sleep Foundation, CDC Division of Population Health/Workplace Health Promotion. Workplace napping, sleep hygiene education, regular exercise and hot baths were demonstrated as effective in preventing sleep deprivation. Findings from this study will be distributed to Atlanta VA Medical Center shift nurses and leadership through Microsoft Lyne Live Meeting. The efficacy of this project will be detennined by shift nurses and leadership addressing sleep deprivation as a problem within the nursing community at Atlanta VA Medical Center and that measures are executed to help alleviate this problem. This project will also be successful if shift nurses adopt proper or better sleep hygiene practices, get regular primary care check-ups, get emotional support when needed, and if a lower percentage of nurses(< 25%) repo1i they are sleep deprived. Using the best evidence to prevent sleep deprivation will safeguard healthier outcomes, the well-being of nurses, and the safety of patients
Recommended Citation
Wilkins, Rhonda D., "Preventing Sleep Deprivation in Shift Nurses: What is The Best Evidence?" (2014). Theses and Dissertations. 4616.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/4616