A survey on the quality of sleep among new nurses

Abstract

Background

New nurses’ transition to clinical work involves challenges affecting their sleep quality, health, and work efficiency.

Objective

The aim of this study was to survey the quality of sleep among new nurses and suggest strategies to improve their sleep to help them adapt better to their work roles.

Methods

We adopted the questionnaire method and convenience sampling for this study. Using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), we surveyed the sleep quality of 118 new nurses in four tertiary grade A hospitals in Harbin City, China.

Results

We found a statistically significant difference in sleep quality between the new nurses and normal adults (P < 0.05). The nurses had statistically significant differences in sleep quality, sleep disturbance, and daytime dysfunction between the first and third months of joining their job (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, use of sleep medication, or overall scores among the nurses (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

The sleep quality of new nurses needs to improve, and this can be facilitated through specific techniques. Improving the sleep quality of new nurses requires joint efforts from individuals, organizations, and community support.