title: The association between rotating shift work and increased occupational stress in nurses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate whether rotating shift work increases occupational stress in nurses.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study measured shift work scheduling and occupational stress by using the Effort-Reward Imbalance model with self-reported questionnaires in a sample of 654 female nurses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overcommitment risk was higher in nurses who worked rotating shifts than in those who worked day/non-night shifts (OR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.03-4.66). However, an effort/reward imbalance was not directly associated with work schedules (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 0.87-4.35). Among nurses working rotation rotating shifts, those who had 2 days off after their most recent night shifts showed an alleviated risk of overcommitment (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.32-0.82), but those who had worked for at least one series of 7 consecutive work days per month had an increased risk of effort/reward imbalance (OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.69-4.48). Additionally, those who had little or no participation in planning working hours and shift scheduling and worked overtime at least three times per week during the preceding 2 months tended to have high stress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The nurses who worked rotating shifts tended to experience work-related stress, but their stress levels improved if they had at least 2 days off after their most recent night shift and if they were not scheduled to work 7 consecutive days. These empirical data can be used to optimize work schedules for nurses to alleviate work stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University.
authors.forename: Pei-Chen
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chung-Hey
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shung-Mei
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Yao-Mei
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chih-Hong
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Hsin-Chia
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Ming-Tsang
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D016272:Occupational Health; D057566:Self Report; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D013624:Taiwan; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult