Stress and sleep quality of nurses working different hospital shifts

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between stress and sleep quality among nurses who work on different hospital departments during morning, afternoon and night shifts. This study was performed in a hospital in Campinas, Sao Paulo. Data collection was performed using the Bianchi Stress Scale modified (BSSm) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Study participants were 203 registered nurses, mostly aged between 40 and 49 years. Results show there is a significant correlation between stress and sleep (Spearman Analysis; r = 0.21318; p = 0.0026). Nurses working morning shifts showed higher stress levels (p = 0.030; Chi-square Test,) and poor sleep quality. In conclusion, stress level was a factor directly correlated to sleep, showing that the higher the stress score, the worse the quality of sleep.