Relationship among faculty fatigue, academic rank, and scholarship and service productivity.

AIM: To examine the relationship among the level of fatigue, academic rank, workload (credit hours) and faculty productivity (as measured by scholarship and service activities). DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional correlational design. PARTICIPANTS: All full-time faculty in national year-round nursing college. METHODS: An Internet survey was distributed May/June 2017 to all full-time faculty (n = 318). Responses reported are from 81 faculty members in the prelicensure baccalaureate programme. Survey items included workload, scholarship and service activities and demographic data. Fatigue was measured by the trait version of Occupational Fatigue, Exhaustion Recovery scale which has three subscales: Acute, Persistent, and Chronic. RESULTS: Mean fatigue for all traits ranged from 45.9 to 52.48. More service activities were reported than scholarship activities. There was a significant positive correlation between chronic fatigue and credit hours. No significant differences existed in fatigue scores based on frequency of scholarship and service activities. CONCLUSION: This first study of fatigue in nursing faculty establishes the existence of fatigue in this group. This can be serious related to the existence of chronic fatigue. Strategies to reduce fatigue are important to support the long-term employment of nursing faculty. IMPACT: What problem did the study address? Fatigue in faculty members and its relationship to academic rank and scholarship and service productivity. What were the main findings? Fatigue in faculty members exists. Higher rank was associated with more scholarship and service activities. Chronic fatigue is less than acute or persistent fatigue. Chronic fatigue is related to workload. Where and on whom will the research have impact? Findings may impact retention of nursing faculty members and academic leaders responsible for supporting work-life balance among nursing faculty.

The impact of repeated bouts of shiftwork on rapid strength and reaction time in career firefighters.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of repeated bouts of shiftwork on lower extremity maximal and rapid strength and reaction time in career firefighters. Thirty-five firefighters (3 females; 34.3 ± 9.1 years) performed a psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) and reactive maximal isometric strength assessment prior to and following a full shift rotation (three 24-hr on-off shifts). Reaction time (RT), maximal, absolute and normalised rapid strength (50, 100, 150, 200 ms), and PVT measures were assessed on-site. Separate linear regression models were used to evaluate the POST-PRE change in variables adjusted for BMI, age, sleep, and call duration. Early (50 ms) absolute rapid strength was the only variable significantly reduced (-25.9%; p = 0.031) following the full shift rotation. Our findings indicate that early rapid strength may be a sensitive measure in detecting work-related fatigue, despite minimal changes in sleep between work and non-work nights and a low call duration. Practitioner summary: We examined the impact of repeated shiftwork on changes in reaction time and neuromuscular function. Early rapid strength was a sensitive, portable lab assessment that feasibly measured work-related fatigue in career firefighters. Interventions that mitigate work-related fatigue may be impactful at preventing falls and/or risk of musculoskeletal injury.

Put your feet up: The impact of personality traits, job pressure, and social support on the need for recovery after work.

The need for recovery after work (NFR) is an important warning of work-related fatigue. NFR is linked to prolonged work-related efforts and depletion of resources, creating a need for temporary respite from work demands. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationships between NFR and the five-factor model (FFM), comprising the personality traits of emotional stability (ES), extraversion (E), agreeableness (A), conscientiousness (C), and openness to experience (O). Perceived job pressure and perceived social support were included as mediators. The study was conducted using structural equation modelling (SEM) on cross-sectional data from a sample of 681 participants from several work sectors (N females = 376, N males = 305; M age = 46.9 years; SD = 11.1). The results showed that NFR was affected both directly and indirectly by FFM traits. High ES and high O contributed directly to reduced and increased NFR, respectively. High perceived social support contributed to reduced NFR, while high perceived job pressure contributed to increased NFR. High ES contributed indirectly to reduced NFR through perceived job pressure and social support, high O contributed indirectly to increased NFR through perceived social support, and high E contributed indirectly to increased NFR through perceived job pressure. A and C were not related to NFR. The findings demonstrate that personality traits, especially ES, are firmly related to NFR and highlight the importance of incorporating personality factors into studies of work environmental factors on NFR. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-022-02950-1.

Need for recovery in relation to effort from work and health in four occupations.

OBJECTIVE: To examine three levels of need for recovery (NFR) after work in relation to effort from work demands, demand compensatory strategies, effort-moderating or -reversing resources, and health including health behaviors. A further purpose was to examine occupational characteristics determining NFR. METHODS: 5000 engineers, carpenters, nurses, and home care nurses were invited to participate. NFR k-means clusters were calculated from 1289 participants. The effect from three levels of NFR regarding demands, compensatory strategies, resources at work, health, and health behaviors was examined using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc analysis. Prevalence ratios (PRs) of suboptimal health for three levels of NFR were calculated using Poisson regression. Linear stepwise multiple regression predictors explaining NFR were examined also occupation wise. RESULTS: NFR centroids at 5.8/33, 13.1/33, and 21.0/33 points were identified. ANOVA showed corresponding effects from NFR levels on work demands and compensatory strategies. The inversed proportion concerned levels of resources at work. Only the low NFR cluster negated regular health effects. The other two cluster groups also repeatedly worked while ill and presented PRs concerning health effects from 1.9 to 3.9 when compared to the low NFR group. Making good quality work, recovery opportunities, and thinking of work when off work were the most important predictors of NFR among 1289 participants with also occupation-wise interpretable profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Three levels of NFR meant corresponding levels of work demands, work-demand compensatory strategies, and unfavorable health behaviors. An inversed proportion of resources related to the same levels of NFR. Low NFR meant no regular health effects which could guide limit values regarding salutary NFR. Important predictors of NFR were resources making a good quality work, recovery opportunities, and reversely effort from rumination when off work. Occupation-wise predictors could guide interventions.

Time course of recovery after two successive night shifts: A diary study among Austrian nurses.

AIM: To explore how nurses recover from night shift work during periods off duty. BACKGROUND: Given the large number of affected individuals globally, detrimental health outcomes of night shift work are an important public health issue. Sufficient recovery opportunities are essential to prevent prolonged fatigue associated with demanding tasks and high workload as experienced in nurses working long shifts during the night. METHOD: Nurses (n = 53, 96% females) who worked in two public nursing homes in Austria completed a 5-day diary to collect data on well-being conceptualized by fatigue, distress and vigour. RESULTS: Nurses experienced worse well-being post night shift days than during rest days. Well-being improved from post night shift day 2 to the following rest day 1 and continued improvement from rest day 1 to rest day 2. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses who work at nights are at risk for experiencing prolonged fatigue. Our results suggest that after two consecutive 12-hr night shifts full recovery needs at least three days off work. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Strategies for maintaining nurses' good health and caring attitudes as well as vigilance for patient safety should include fatigue management plans and optimised schedules for night shift work.

Work-related self-assessed fatigue and recovery among nurses.

PURPOSE: Adequate recovery opportunities are crucial for preventing long-term health effects of acute load reactions in response to stressful work. However, little is known about the time course of recovery from work during non-working days. Thus, the present study assessed recovery from two consecutive 12-hours day shifts during a period of three rest days among nurses. METHODS: In total, 48 nurses (89.6% females) working in three public Austrian nursing homes completed 5-day self-reporting diaries prior to a work phase consisting of two consecutive 12-hours day shifts followed by three consecutive rest days. Therefore, morning and evening fatigue, distress, vigor and sleep were self-assessed by standardized questionnaires. We analyzed the data using multivariate analysis of variance for repeated measures. RESULTS: Study participants experienced worse well-being and a greater decline in well-being on working days compared to rest days. Well-being increased from rest day 1 to rest day 2 in fatigue, vigor and distress. Rest day 2 to rest day 3 showed a further improvement in fatigue and vigor. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the concepts of allostatic load, need for recovery and fatigue is essential to develop personalized working schedules. The results suggest that at least three rest days are necessary for full recovery after two consecutive 12-hours day shifts. Thus, adequate time for recovery enables nurses to maintain caring attitudes with patients, thus contributing to patient safety.

Disentangling longitudinal relations between physical activity, work-related fatigue, and task demands.

PURPOSE: This longitudinal study examined 'normal', 'reversed', and 'reciprocal' relationships between (1) physical activity and work-related fatigue; and (2) physical activity and task demands. Furthermore, the effects of across-time change in meaningful physical activity groups on levels of employees' work-related fatigue and task demands were studied. These groups were based on employees' compliance with the international physical activity norm. METHODS: Two waves with a one-year time lag of a national representative survey on the quality of work, health, and well-being among Dutch employees were used (N = 2275). Longitudinal effects were tested using Structural Equation Modelling. Meaningful physical activity groups were compared using group-by-time analysis of covariance. RESULTS: Support was found for reciprocal relations between physical activity and work-related fatigue. It was found that an increase in physical activity is associated with a decrease in work-related fatigue over time and that an increase in work-related fatigue is associated with a decrease in physical activity over time. No significant longitudinal relations were found between physical activity and task demands. Employees whose compliance with the physical activity norm changed over time showed fairly stable levels of work-related fatigue and task demands. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings provide evidence for the potential role of physical activity in the prevention and reduction in work-related fatigue. However, results also indicate that fatigued workers, who would benefit most from physical activity, are less physically active. Our results further indicate that relying on changes in compliance to the physical activity norm may not be the most suitable way to examine changes in work-related fatigue.

The Influence of Work-Related Fatigue, Work Conditions, and Personal Characteristics on Intent to Leave Among New Nurses.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to (a) test the fit of the hypothesized model for new nurses' intent to leave and (b) determine the extent to which personal characteristics, work conditions, and work-related fatigue predict intent to leave among new nurses. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey study. A total of 162 new nurses were recruited. A hypothesized model was proposed for model testing. Structural equation modelling was used for data analysis. FINDINGS: Work conditions only had an effect through work-related fatigue on new nurses' intent to leave. Personal characteristics did not have a significant effect on new nurses' intent to leave. The final model showed a good fit. Work-related fatigue, work conditions, and health explained 65% of the variance in new nurses' intent to leave. CONCLUSIONS: Work-related fatigue was a major determinant of new nurses' intent to leave. More attention should be paid to fatigue reduction strategies among new nurses. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Work-related fatigue should be monitored, particularly for new nurses who work more than 10 hr per day and who have greater workloads.

Work-related fatigue among medical personnel in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Work-related fatigue among medical personnel is a major concern for patient safety, however heavy on-call duty is common in many hospitals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of self-reported work-related fatigue and its associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 1833 participants was conducted in two hospitals in Taipei City, Taiwan, using a self-administered questionnaire. Participants reported their demographic characteristics, health-related behavior, health status and symptoms, and work-related fatigue during the past 3 months. RESULTS: The prevalence of work-related fatigue among the 1833 participants was 30.9%. Younger participants (20-29 years old) were more likely to report work-related fatigue than older participants (40-65 years old) [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.18-2.01]. Physicians, nurses, and medical technicians were more likely to report work-related fatigue symptoms than administrative personnel (aOR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.57-2.79; aOR = 2.83, 95% CI = 1.87-3.99; and aOR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.12-3.06, respectively). Those who drank coffee more than five times a week were more likely to report work-related fatigue than those who did not drink coffee at all (aOR = 2.53, 95% CI = 1.25-1.93). Participants with poor and very poor self-reported health were more likely to report work-related fatigue (aOR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.26-2.38) than those who reported that their health was fair, good, or very good. CONCLUSION: We identified factors associated with work-related fatigue among hospital workers in Taipei City. These findings can be applied toward on-the-job training and the development of preventive measures for occupational safety in general hospitals.

Psychosocial correlates of work-related fatigue among Jordanian emergency department nurses.

PURPOSE: This study purposed to assess the psychosocial correlates of work-related fatigue among Jordanian emergency department nurses. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Jordanian emergency nurses (n = 220). Measures included Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion/Recovery Scale (OFER15) and Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire version Two (COPSOQ II). FINDINGS: The psychosocial factors correlated with all types of work-related fatigue (acute, chronic, and inter-shift [recovery]) were quantitative demands, work-family conflict, sexual harassment, threats of violence, physical violence, and bullying. Importantly, quantitative demands and sexual harassment were the main predictors of all types of work-related fatigue. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The psychosocial correlated factors should be considered when developing interventions to minimize work-related fatigue phenomenon. This would lead to a more positive working environment which will promote safe nursing care.

Risk for work-related fatigue among the employees on semiconductor manufacturing lines.

To examine the potential risk factors for work-related fatigue (WRF) among workers in modern industries, the authors analyzed the records of need-for-recovery questionnaires and health checkup results for 1545 employees. Compared with regular daytime workers, and after adjusting for confounders, the workers adapting to day-and-night rotating shift work (RSW) had a 4.0-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.7-5.9) increased risk for WRF, higher than the 2.2-fold risk (95% CI = 1.5-3.3) for persistent shift workers. Based on highest education level, the male employees with university degrees had the highest adjusted odds ratio (a-OR) 2.8 (95% CI = 1.0-7.8) for complaining of WRF versus compulsory education group. For female workers, currently married/cohabiting status was inversely associated with WRF (a-OR = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.2-0.9), and child-rearing responsibility moderately increased WRF risk (a-OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.0-3.7). Day-and-night RSW and the adaptation, educational levels of males, and domestic factors for females contributed to WRF among semiconductor manufacturing employees.