A mixed method approach to how shiftworking emergency department (ED) nurses reduce the effects of fatigue and differences in strategies between those with varying levels of fatigue

Abstract

Background

Fatigue is commonly reported in shiftworking emergency department nurses. Fatigue can be both acute and chronic, with both types impacting organisational outcomes. However, chronic fatigue is reported to have a greater impact on nurses’ health and wellbeing.

Aim

To understand ways shiftworking emergency department nurses with varying levels of fatigue attempt to overcome and mitigate the effects of fatigue at work and home and essentially recover.

Methods

A mixed method approach utilised nurses’ free-text responses as part of an online survey. Shiftworking emergency department nurses’ responses were compared between those with low chronic fatigue and high chronic fatigue.

Findings

Regardless of fatigue level, shiftworking emergency department nurses reported sleep and rest, exercise and self-care activities at home, and caffeine consumption and work breaks at work to reduce the effects of fatigue. However, at work, only nurses with low chronic fatigue described using more and varied strategies, such as staying active, socialising with colleagues, and making healthy dietary choices, to mitigate fatigue effects.

Discussion

Shiftworking emergency department nurses with varying fatigue levels differ in strategies utilised to reduce the effects of fatigue. The use of diverse and numerous strategies to combat fatigue was associated more with low chronic fatigue than high chronic fatigue. These findings may be of benefit to shiftworking emergency department nurses and nursing managers to assist nurses in recovering from the effects of fatigue at home and through the allocation of rostering and resources to support nurses’ working lives.