Work stress and sleep disturbances among internship nursing students

Background Nurses are one of the most vulnerable professional groups to occupational stress and sleep problem. A relation between occupational stress and sleep problem is suggested and needs to be investigated. The aim of this descriptive study is designed to assess work stress and sleep disturbances among internship nursing students and the relation between them. Results A total of 95 nursing internship students were subjected to Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS). The greater the number of patients a nurse cares for, the greater the nursing stress. Greater number and duration of shifts worsen sleep. Problems related to peers worsen sleep quality. Demanding patients and their families lessen the actual sleep duration of nurses. Demanding patients and their families, work load, discrimination, and uncertainty regarding treatment lessen the habitual sleep efficiency of nurses. Conclusion Nurses with higher workload experience more sleep disturbances.