Perception of Fatigue in Female Nurses Employed in Hospitals.
Fatigue is the inability to maintain the required stamina in work capacity with consequences affecting occupational performance, health, and safety. Women are often more exposed to the risk of fatigue because they tend to be multitaskers.
The nursing profession is among those jobs in which the staff works in various work shifts. Individuals who work in the night shift in circulating rounds are exposed to lack of sleep which is associated with increasing fatigue. This exerts detrimental effects on the nurses health, linked to dysfunction in the physical and cognitive performance of persons.8 The consequences of this dysfunction influence the individuals occupational and organizational performance, and affect their heath. The consequences of fatigue include reduced memory, reduced reaction time, decreased speed of information processing, irritability, endangering of problem solving and critical thinking, slipping in paying attention to details, decreased concentration, judgment, and motivation.
Indeed, the shortage of nurses is a global problem and it is mandatory to pay special attention to the challenges and problems within their work environment that nurses face.
Generally speaking, a score between the ranges of 30- 39 indicates the presence of considerable fatigue and a score of 40+ reveals severe fatigue. Hence, the cut-off point for a fatigued nurse was the one who scored 30+ on this scale.
Consequently, the managers of the health system of the country should take some appropriate measures to remove the material and spiritual shortcomings and deficiencies present in the system that induces fatigue in the employees. Indeed, in a study, sleep and recreation are the most important strategies for reducing fatigue.
Women Health Open J. 2016; 3(1): 1-7. doi: 10.17140/WHOJ-3-115
