Psychosocial working conditions of shiftworking nurses: A long-term latent transition analysis

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to identify profiles of working conditions to which nurses were exposed to over time and investigate how changes in working conditions relate to shiftworking and health. Background: Previous studies rarely addressed the issue of working conditions development over long periods and the effects of such development on nurses' health. Methods: Data from a national cohort of nurses in Sweden (N = 2936) were analysed using a person-centred analytical approach—latent profile and latent transition analysis. Results: Nurses report better psychosocial working conditions as they progress into mid-career. Shiftworking nurses experience poorer working conditions than their dayworking counterparts and tend to move from shiftwork to daywork as they progress into mid-career. In mid-career, nurses in work environments characterized by low autonomy and support tend to report poorer health outcomes. Conclusion: Current analyses suggest that shiftworking nurses are particularly in need of interventions that address poor work environments. Not only do they experience more negative psychosocial working conditions than their dayworking counterparts, but they do so while having to contend with demanding schedules. Implications for Nursing Management: The findings highlight that organisational interventions should target different aspects of the work environment for nurses in diverse stages of their careers.