Profile of nursing professionals that work night shifts at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre

Abstract

Forms of labor organization change to respond to the needs of the different groups that form society. To provide full assistance in hospitals, the nursing department has to organize fulltime labor to follow up patients 24 hours a day. This study identified the characteris-tics of the nursing professionals working night shifts at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, and investigated the motivators and stres-sors associated with their night work. The sample was composed of 415 nursing professionals that work night shifts in the different units of the institution under study. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire that was handed out during their shift of work. Of the study subjects, 335 (82.9%) were women. Mean time working night shifts was 11 years. Satisfaction or full satisfaction with their night shift work was indicated by 391 (94.9%) of the respondents. The most important motivator was the possibility to spend more time with their families. Conversely, difficulties associated with sleep quality, communications and interpersonal relations were pointed out as s-tressors. These finding may be useful to support discussions of possible improvements in communications, interpersonal relations and work environment