More than 250 RNs participated in the Medscape online survey.
Here are 10 key points:
1. Ninety-three percent said they were satisfied with their career choice.
2. Ninety-eight reported their job is physically and mentally demanding.
3. At the day’s end, 93 percent said they feel mentally and/or physically tired.
4. Eighty-five percent said their jobs cause them to feel fatigue.
5. Fatigue can have serious repercussion. Fifty-six percent of all respondents said they have driven home drowsy after work.
6. Among nurses citing fatigue, 23 percent said they have pulled their car off the road to rest.
7. Forty-four percent said they were concerned fatigue will impact patient care and 37 reported worrying about a mistake.
8. Among respondents, the top cited factors of fatigue include:
● Excessive workloads: 60 percent
● Not being able to take lunch or dinner breaks during a shift: 42 percent
● Not getting ample sleep between shifts: 25 percent
● Working 12-hour shifts: 25 percent
9. Fifty-five percent of nurses said their hospitals can offer better schedules to limit fatigue and 47 percent said they can offer more breaks.
10. Despite feeling fatigued at times, 77 percent said their work energizes them.
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