Journal of Natural Sciences Research www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3186 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0921 (Online) Vol.3, No.4, 2013 88 Comparison of Social Life and Sleeping Pattern among Eight and Twelve Hours Shifts Nurses Farida Habib 1, 2 , Eman Dawood 1, 3, * , Dalal Asiri 4 , Latifah Enezi 4 , Afnan Al Solyman 4 & Hala Al Anizi 4 1. Nursing Department, College of Nursing, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences – Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2. Maternity Health Nursing Department, College of Nursing, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt 3. Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Department, College of Nursing, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt 4. Undergraduate Nursing Student, College of Nursing, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences – Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia * E-mail of the corresponding author: dawoode@ksau-hs.edu.sa Abstract Objectives: The purpose of the current study is to: Investigate the relationship between shift length and Saudi nurses’ social life and sleep pattern. Methods: A descriptive correlation, cross – sectional research design was utilized to conduct the current study. A convenience sample of 200 Saudi nurses was involved in the study. Data were collected from three hospitals: King Fahd Hospital, Al- Shumaisi hospital and Yammama Hospital. Data were collected over a seven months period from March, 2012 – October, 2012. An explanation about the purpose and the nature of the study was offered for each individual potential participant. Agreement to complete the questionnaire worked as an informed consent. Subjects were assured about the confidentiality of the collected data and that it will be only used by the researchers for the purpose of the current study. Data were collected using a questionnaire survey designed by the researchers and consisting of three parts: Sociodemographic data, questions related to nurses’ sleep pattern, and nurses’ social life. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 18. Results: Current study findings reveal no statistically significant difference in relation to the Saudi nurses’ preference of either 8 or 12 – hour shifts. Saudi nurses who worked 12 – hour shift showed a statistically significant difference in relation to their satisfaction with their sleep quality than Saudi nurses who worked 8 – hour shift. Saudi nurses who worked 8 – hour shift had more time to spend with their families and were more satisfied than Saudi nurses who worked 12 – hour shift. Conclusion Shorter length shift work considered more positive in terms of sleep pattern satisfaction and quality social life as perceived by Saudi nurses. Keywords: nurses, social life, sleeping pattern, shift length Introduction Nurses play a vital role in patient care and the health sector. Nursing shortage has been acknowledged as a problem worldwide, in Saudi Arabia there is a shortage of nurses of 100,000 nurses. In Arab countries, family ties and socialization are essential components of the Arab culture. In order to meet the needs of patients’ care around the clock, in nursing profession, the 24 hours of the day are usually covered by three 8-hour shifts (day or morning – afternoon - late or night). Since the 1970s, several articles have described studies of the extended; mostly 12-hour, shifts and favorable consequences have been reported. For example, extended shifts give nurses more days and weekends off and can have more available “free” time with their family and friends (Underwood 1975, Ganong 1976, et al). Work schedules are a key element in nurses' intent to remain employed. Extended shift (those past 8 hours) and overtime due to unplanned staff illnesses, absence or increased hospital admissions can result in increased fatigue and sleep deprivation among nurses (Geiger-Brown & Trinkoff, 2010). Furthermore, extended work shifts of twelve hours or longer are common and popular among hospital staff nurses, and it has been reported that nurses working longer shifts were more likely to experience burnout, job dissatisfaction, and patients were more dissatisfied with their care. Sleep is a vital necessity in which the body renews itself and represents foundation of a healthy physical and mental life which directly impacts the person’s quality of life (Karagozoglu & Bingol, 2008).There is reasonable evidence that shift workers in general suffer acutely and chronically impaired health (Costa, 2003; Harrington, 2001). There is also growing evidence that they have an increased risk of divorce and having children with anxiety and behavior problems (Pisarski et al., 2006). Several studies have recognized impaired sleep as a common problem among nurses. Overworked, fatigued and stressed nurses are at a higher risk of making mistakes that threaten their own health as well as patient safety (Hasson & Gustavsson, 2010). For nurses working either 8 or 12-hour shifts, sleep deprivation amplifies the risk for patient errors, and personal injuries on shift (Fallis, McMillan & Edwards, 2011 & Rogers,