Abstract
Occupational fatigue in registered nurses (RNs) is associated with decreased nurse performance and job satisfaction, in addition to high burnout rates, increased work-related injuries and medication errors. With an ongoing emphasis on hospital safety, understanding nurse fatigue is essential. Previous studies have helped to quantify fatigue levels in RNs and identify sources of fatigue that span the work system. In order to explore unit-based factors that contribute to fatigue, we interviewed ten float nursing staff, who move between units within a hospital, about the sources of their fatigue, and the effects of unit factors on fatigue and coping. Sources of fatigue identified by float nurses include switching units multiple times during a shift, patient assignments and unit culture. Participants identified unit-specific factors that support nurse coping with fatigue including: teamwork, communication, and respect. These findings lead to recommendations for future studies and development of fatigue risk management systems in nursing.
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