Sleep Deprivation and Its Effects on Nurses Working at the Night Shift at Critical Care Units of Services Hospital Lahore

Abstract

Background: Sleep deprivation among nurses working night shifts in critical care units remains a major occupational health concern, influencing cognitive performance, emotional stability, and overall well-being. Night-shift nurses often experience disrupted circadian rhythms and poor sleep quality, leading to fatigue, errors, and reduced job performance. Understanding the extent and consequences of sleep deprivation is essential for developing effective strategies to promote nurse well-being and ensure patient safety. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of sleep deprivation on night-shift nurses working in critical care units at Services Hospital, Lahore. It specifically assessed sleep quality, cognitive functioning, job performance, and physical and mental health using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Non-Restorative Sleep Scale (NRSS). Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 76 nurses (13 males, 63 females) aged 19–38 years. Data were collected through Google Forms containing validated instruments—the PSQI and NRSS—and analyzed using JASP software. Descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, t-tests, and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) were employed. Participants were categorized as good (N=12) or poor sleepers (N=64) based on PSQI global scores (>5 threshold). Results: Poor sleepers had significantly higher mean PSQI scores (Mean = 8.95, SD = 2.08) than good sleepers (Mean = 4.00, SD = 0.74), indicating poorer sleep quality. Significant differences were found in sleep latency (Mean = 1.59 vs. 0.50; t = -4.955, p < .001) and overall sleep quality (t = -8.111, p < .001). Strong positive correlations were observed between PSQI and sleep duration, latency, and disturbances (p < .001). NRSS results revealed decreased daytime energy (Mean = 3.58), lower alertness (Mean = 3.50), and higher irritability (Mean = 2.60) among poor sleepers. EFA of NRSS identified four key domains—Cognitive Performance, Physical Symptoms, Emotional Well-being, and Sleep Quality Perception—explaining 54.7% of total variance. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that sleep deprivation severely impairs cognitive function, emotional health, and job performance among night-shift nurses in critical care units. Targeted interventions, including optimized shift scheduling, rest breaks, and sleep hygiene education, are essential to enhance nurse well-being and improve patient care quality