Association between night shift and sleep quality and health among Chinese nurses: A cross‐sectional study

Aim To explore the sleep quality among Chinese nurses and identify the association between night shift and sleep quality and health. Background Chinese nurses have many night shifts; the effect of it regarding nurses' sleep quality and health is still not being explored. Methods This was a cross‐sectional study. There were 3,206 nurse participants. The participants self‐completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Cornell Medical Index (CMI). Results Night shift nurses demonstrated relatively worse sleep quality (55.1%) and more health problems (20.7%). Night shift work was significantly associated with poor sleep quality (β = 0.96, confidence interval [CI] = 0.67–1.26) and poor health (β = 2.01, CI = 0.15–3.88). Except for sleep medication (β = 0.02, CI = −0.01, 0.05) and psychological health (β = 0.38, CI = −0.27, 1.03), night shift work was significantly associated with other PSQI domains and physical health. Conclusion Night shift work was a risk factor for nurses' sleep quality and health. Night shift nurses have more sleep disorders and physical health problems. Implications for Nursing Management Nurse managers should pay attention to the impact of shift work on nurses’ sleep quality and health and reform the rotating shift work system to improve nurses’ occupational health.