An international study involving nursing students at the National Institute of Nursing Education shows that excessive daytime sleepiness and lack of sleep among nursing students is a major concern.
Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) among nurses has become a major cause of concern for the PGIMER authorities. A study conducted by the institute on 400 nursing students found that 43.5 per cent of them were suffering from the EDS due to excess workload and unregulated work hours. “Excessive daytime sleepiness is quite common among doctors, nurses, students and other people who work in shifts. The present study indicated that more than 40 per cent of the nursing students were suffering from the EDS. This is because of the work culture in the healthcare setting where professionals provide care to patients regardless of their sleep. As a result, cognitive abilities like vigilance, decision making and judgment required in nursing care may deteriorate,” stated the study titled “Excess daytime sleepiness, sleep hygiene and work hours among nursing students”. “It may have adverse consequences on their health as well as on the patient’s safety.
