Evaluating the role of heart rate variability in monitoring stress and sleep quality among nurses in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic

AimTo assess heart rate variability (HRV) as a measure to assess job stress and sleep quality among nurses in the post-COVID-19 period.BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected nurses, with heightened job stress and impaired sleep quality impacting their well-being and effectiveness in patient care. HRV could offer insights for supporting strategies in the pandemic aftermath.DesignA quantitative cross-sectional study.MethodsThis study involved 403 clinical nurses recruited from a teaching hospital in Taiwan. Data on job stress, work frustration, sleep quality and HRV were collected and analysed.ResultsAmong the nurses surveyed during the COVID-19 pandemic, 72.7% reported poor sleep quality (PSQI = 9.369). Job stress emerged as a strong predictor of work frustration. High stress levels and poor sleep quality were correlated with significantly decreased HRV, indicating a potential physiological impact of stress on the nurses' health and well-being.ConclusionsHRV is a valuable and cost-effective measure for monitoring and managing nurses' well-being in the post-COVID-19 era. Targeted interventions can be implemented to support nurses' overall performance and promote their well-being by identifying those at high risk of job stress and poor sleep quality. What is already known about this topic? The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted medical care capacity, leading to heightened physical and mental distress among frontline nurses. This has resulted in a marked increase in job stress, presenting a significant challenge to occupational health. The substantial changes in the medical environment caused by the pandemic are likely to induce job stress, which, in turn, can detrimentally affect sleep quality. This aspect is crucial, as sleep quality is a key determinant of nurses' ability to deliver optimal medical care to patients.What this paper adds? Job stress significantly impacts nurses' sleep quality and is a key predictor of work frustration, surpassing the sole influence of work frustration. The study highlights a significant link between high stress levels, reduced sleep quality and decreased heart rate variability in nurses. It further reveals that nurses with moderate COVID-19-related anxiety show heightened heart rate variability, indicating sympathetic nervous system activation to maintain alertness in emergency medical situations.The implications of this paper: Moderate anxiety as a positive factor: moderate levels of anxiety among nurses can contribute to maintaining alertness, reducing errors and lowering the risk of contracting COVID-19. HRV as a monitoring and management measure: heart rate variability is a valuable and cost-effective measure for monitoring and managing the health of nurses in the post-COVID-19 era. By identifying nurses with high work stress and poor sleep quality, targeted interventions can be implemented to support their overall performance and promote their well-being. Targeted interventions for improved well-being: the implementation of specific interventions aimed at supporting nurses' overall performance and enhancing their well-being is crucial in maintaining a high standard of patient care.