Balancing act: exploring work-life balance among nursing home staff working long shifts.
Family life
Healthcare professionals
Job satisfaction
Long shifts
Nursing home staff
Nursing homes
Shift schedules
Shift work
Work hours
Work-life conflict
Journal
BMC nursing
ISSN: 1472-6955
Titre abrégé: BMC Nurs
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101088683
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
23 Jul 2024
23 Jul 2024
Historique:
received:
29
02
2024
accepted:
10
07
2024
medline:
23
7
2024
pubmed:
23
7
2024
entrez:
22
7
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Nursing home staff often face challenges in achieving a satisfactory work-life balance, particularly because of the nature of shift work. While long shifts offer extended periods off work, their impact on the delicate balance between work and leisure remains understudied in the context of nursing homes. This study investigated the experiences of nursing home staff in Norway working long shifts lasting 12-14 h and their perceptions of the balance between family life and work. Eighteen nursing home staff members were interviewed following a semi-structured qualitative approach. The participants worked in three types of long shifts and provided insights into their experiences, addressing issues such as work hours, shift patterns, and work-family balance. The study revealed four main categories: (1) impact of long shifts on family life-the highs and lows; (2) maximizing time off with long shifts; (3) reducing job stress with long shifts; and (4) full-time work leads to predictable hours and stable income. The participants emphasised the distinct separation between work and leisure during long shifts, acknowledging limited social life during working periods but appreciating extended periods off. Family life posed challenges, especially with young children, but the participants found benefits in the longer periods of family time during days off. Longer rest periods and reduced commuting time were perceived as advantages of long shifts, contributing to better sleep, reduced stress and overall well-being. Long shifts also allowed for more predictable working hours and income, supporting a stable work-life balance. Balancing work and family life involves more than just the number of hours spent at work; it also encompasses the quality of those hours both at work and at home. Our findings underscore the complex interplay between work and family life for nursing home staff working long shifts. While challenges exist, benefits such as extended time off, improved sleep, reduced stress, and predictable working hours contribute positively to their work-life balance. Long shifts in nursing homes offer a unique perspective on achieving work-life balance, revealing both the challenges and advantages inherent in such schedules. Understanding the experiences of nursing home staff in this context can inform future innovations in shift scheduling, promoting a more balanced and sustainable work environment for healthcare professionals. For some healthcare staff, extended shifts can lead to a better work-life balance.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Nursing home staff often face challenges in achieving a satisfactory work-life balance, particularly because of the nature of shift work. While long shifts offer extended periods off work, their impact on the delicate balance between work and leisure remains understudied in the context of nursing homes. This study investigated the experiences of nursing home staff in Norway working long shifts lasting 12-14 h and their perceptions of the balance between family life and work.
METHODS
METHODS
Eighteen nursing home staff members were interviewed following a semi-structured qualitative approach. The participants worked in three types of long shifts and provided insights into their experiences, addressing issues such as work hours, shift patterns, and work-family balance.
RESULTS
RESULTS
The study revealed four main categories: (1) impact of long shifts on family life-the highs and lows; (2) maximizing time off with long shifts; (3) reducing job stress with long shifts; and (4) full-time work leads to predictable hours and stable income. The participants emphasised the distinct separation between work and leisure during long shifts, acknowledging limited social life during working periods but appreciating extended periods off. Family life posed challenges, especially with young children, but the participants found benefits in the longer periods of family time during days off. Longer rest periods and reduced commuting time were perceived as advantages of long shifts, contributing to better sleep, reduced stress and overall well-being. Long shifts also allowed for more predictable working hours and income, supporting a stable work-life balance.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Balancing work and family life involves more than just the number of hours spent at work; it also encompasses the quality of those hours both at work and at home. Our findings underscore the complex interplay between work and family life for nursing home staff working long shifts. While challenges exist, benefits such as extended time off, improved sleep, reduced stress, and predictable working hours contribute positively to their work-life balance. Long shifts in nursing homes offer a unique perspective on achieving work-life balance, revealing both the challenges and advantages inherent in such schedules. Understanding the experiences of nursing home staff in this context can inform future innovations in shift scheduling, promoting a more balanced and sustainable work environment for healthcare professionals. For some healthcare staff, extended shifts can lead to a better work-life balance.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39039590
doi: 10.1186/s12912-024-02165-8
pii: 10.1186/s12912-024-02165-8
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
499Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
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