International Journal of Health Research and Innovation

The effect of different shift work systems on the physiological and psychological health of clinical nursing staff: Evidence on heart rate variability

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• Abstract 

  In this study we assessed clinical nursing staff’s health in terms of overall heart rate variability and overall activity of the autonomic nervous system, including parasympathetic and sympathetic activity, under different shift-work systems. There were no significant differences between non-shift work and permanent shift work on clinical nursing staff’s health. However, the health of clinical nursing staff working non-permanent shifts was significantly worse. Our results suggest that clinical nursing staff should be prevented from working non-permanent shifts, even when nursing resources are lacking.

  Keywords: clinical nursing staff, shift work, nursing management, heart rate variability