Shift work characteristics and burnout among nurses: cross-sectional survey

Burnout is an occupational phenomenon affecting many healthcare workers. Long shifts are associated with burnout, but it is unclear if this adverse effect is apparent in those that actively choose to work this shift pattern. Our survey of 873 nurses found that having choice decreases the likelihood of experiencing burnout. Nurses working long shifts were less likely to have choice and more likely to report adverse working environments. Background Nurses working long shifts (>= 12 h) experience higher levels of burnout. Yet other shift characteristics, including fixed versus rotating night work, weekly hours and breaks have not been considered. Choice over shift length may moderate the relationship; however, this has not been tested. Aims To examine the association between shift work characteristics and burnout and exhaustion, and whether choice over shift length influences burnout and exhaustion. Methods Cross-sectional online survey of nursing staff working in the UK and Ireland. We recruited two large National Health Service Trusts, through trade union membership, online/print nursing magazines and social media. We assessed associations using both univariable and multivariable generalized linear models. Results We had 873 valid responses. Reports of inadequate staffing levels (odds ratio [OR] = 2.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.08-3.90) and less choice over shift length (OR = 0.20; 95% CI 0.06-0.54) were associated with higher burnout in multivariable models. Similar associations were found for exhaustion, where rarely or never taking breaks was also a predictor (OR = 1.61; 95% CI 1.05-2.52). Nurses who worked long shifts had less choice than those working shifts of 8 h or less (66% of 12-h shift nurses versus 44% 8-h shift nurses reporting having no choice), but choice did not moderate the relationship between shift length and burnout and exhaustion. Conclusions The relationship between long shifts and increased burnout reported previously might have arisen from a lack of choice for those staff working long shifts. Whether limited choice for staff is intrinsically linked to long shifts is unclear.