• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.63-73
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare job satisfaction and nursing performance of nurses on fixed night shifts (FNS) and nurses working three shifts (W3S), to identify the environment of night work and recognition of the viability of the FNS system. Methods: The research was conducted with 106 nurses on FNS and 257 on W3S. The nurses had worked for 1 to 11 years at A hospital, Seoul. Results: Job satisfaction was significantly higher (t=-3.51, p< .001) for nurses on FNS. However, no significant difference was found for nursing performance (t=-1.019, p=.309) between the two groups. Both groups of nurses were mostly satisfied. Subjective fatigue scores (0 to 10 points) during the night for nurses on FNS (6.02) were lower than for W3S nurses (7.28) A high percentage (88.7%) of nurses on FNS indicated a willingness to further participate in FNS. Conclusion: Results indicate that the demonstration FNS system showed its effectiveness. Therefore, efforts are needed to enhance and revitalize FNS and to upgrade the system to control patient transfer time from emergency departments to wards, and to provide nurses needed resources for emergency or intensive care.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.519-529
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was performed to identify perceptions on fixed night shift system and turnover intention of general hospital nurses and to explore a desirable application plan for a fixed night shift system. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey. Participants were 300 nurses working at one general hospital in GyeongGi-Do, Korea. Data were collected from November 3 to 7, 2014, with a structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS/PC ver 20.0 programs. Results: Of the participants 73.5% had thought about turnover because of night shifts and the preconditions for desirable fixed night shift system were a payment plan differentiated according to work conditions and an adequate number of nursing staff. Economic and administrative supports like 'raising extra-pay for night shift' and 'increasing the number of paid holidays' were very important for a desirable fixed night shift system. Conclusion: The results indicate that the most important factor for a desirable fixed night shift system to decrease nurses' turnover intention is economic and administrative support according to the needs of the nurses. So nursing managers need to find a desirable fixed night shift system considering nurses' demographic characteristics and organizational characteristics.