title: Implementing a fatigue countermeasures program for nurses: a focus group analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to describe the structural, organizational, and environmental factors associated with the implementation a fatigue countermeasures program for nurses (FCMPN).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The industrial sector has developed fatigue management programs to improve safety for employees and customers. However, fatigue management programs have not been developed for nurses.
  
  
  METHODS
  The oral descriptions of 46 staff nurses and 8 nurse managers participating in an FCMPN were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Staff nurses identified awareness, restfulness, and lifestyle control as FCMPN benefits, whereas challenges included work culture, physical environment, and emotional turmoil. Nurse managers perceived ease of program implementation, employee-employer partnerships, and research engagement as benefits. Challenges included lack of support, nursing/organizational culture, and dissonance in staff levels and organizational policies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although FCMPNs are feasible and sustainable in healthcare, a paradigm shift may be needed for a robust implementation of an effective FCMPN that improves patient safety.
authors.affiliation: Kirkhof College of Nursing, USA. scottl@gvsu.edu
authors.forename: Linda D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Nancee
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hofmeister
authors.forename: Neal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rogness
authors.forename: Ann E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Rogers
mesh_terms: D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D005222:Mental Fatigue / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016730:Program Development; D012944:Social Support; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*