Chronic fatigue and recovery among nurses working two-shift and three-shift rotations

Background: Shift patterns influence nurses' work and rest conditions. Limited information is available about the nurses' recovery, fatigue, and their associated factors considering shift patterns.Aim: This study explored the association between fatigue and recovery and factors associated with recovery and chronic fatigue among nurses working a three-shift (8 hour shifts) or two-shift (more than 12 hour shifts) rotations in Japan.Methods: This cross-sectional secondary analysis included 807 nurses from a previous questionnaire survey. Fatigue (acute and chronic) and intershift recovery were measured using the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion Recovery Scale.Findings: Intershift recovery was significantly lower among nurses working a three-shift rotations compared to nurses working a two-shift rotations. Nurses aged >= 40 years tended to experience severe chronic fatigue working in the two-shift rotations. In both shift patterns, overtime hours and low sleep quality were associated with lower intershift recovery and higher chronic fatigue. In the three-shift rotations, having children and being activity-oriented in leisure time were associated with higher intershift recovery and lower chronic fatigue. In the two-shift rotations, activity orientation was significantly associated with lower chronic fatigue.Discussions: The three-shift rotations influenced nurses' intershift recovery more than the two-shift rotations. Regardless of shift patterns, managers must restrict overtime and encourage nurses to maintain sleep quality, family roles, and leisure activities. Moreover, considering nurses' age while selecting and organising shift patterns may prevent chronic fatigue.Conclusion: Fatigue management based on the characteristics and associated factors of fatigue and recovery for each shift pattern revealed in this study prevents chronic fatigue, which may contribute to the retention of nurses.(c) 2023 Australian College of Nursing Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd.