Trends in Nurses' Sleep: A Meta-Regression Involving 219,245 Nurses From 45 Countries.

Leanna G Santostefano, Kurt Lushington, Siobhan Banks, Grant R Tomkinson, Justin J Lang, Kristin Graham, Hayley Ruf, Kiriaki Stewart, Kirstie Howland, Michelle Headland, Michael Musker, Lisa Matricciani

Journal: Journal of nursing management 2026;2026(1):e9051680

PMID: 42661299

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Abstract

AIM

To examine temporal trends in nurses' sleep duration and quality.

BACKGROUND

In recent decades, the nursing workplace demands have intensified. This is thought to have contributed to a decline in nurses' sleep duration and quality. Despite concerns, it remains unclear if nurses' sleep has changed.

METHOD

A systematic database search was used to identify studies reporting nurses' total sleep time or sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]). Trends in mean sleep duration and global PSQI scores were analysed using generalised linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, geographic region, shift type and measurement method (self-report vs. actigraphy).

RESULTS

Data were extracted from 280 studies representing 219,245 nurses. A significant decline of 28.7 min was observed in sleep duration (95% CI: 26.2, 33.1, standardised effect size [ES]: 0.43) between 1985 and 2022, while a 1.6-point increase in global PSQI scores was observed between 1990 and 2023, indicative of poorer sleep quality (95% CI: 1.47, 1.77, ES: 0.49).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest a decline in nurses' sleep duration and quality over recent decades. These trends suggest that targeted interventions may be needed to improve nurses' sleep health.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Temporal declines in nurses' sleep duration and quality may reflect an increased risk of fatigue, impaired clinical performance, staff burnout and work-related accidents. This study provides important insights into workforce well-being and highlights the need for nurse managers to recognise staff susceptibility to poor sleep and proactively develop and implement strategies that promote healthy sleep.

Address: Behaviour-Brain-Body Research Centre, Adelaide University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, adelaide.edu.au.; Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), School of Allied Health and Human Performance, Adelaide University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, adelaide.edu.au.; Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), School of Allied Health and Human Performance, Adelaide University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, adelaide.edu.au.; Centre for Surveillance and Applied Research, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, phac-aspc.gc.ca.; School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, uottawa.ca.; College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, adelaide.edu.au.; IIMPACT in Health research, Adelaide University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, adelaide.edu.au.; College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, adelaide.edu.au.; College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, adelaide.edu.au.; Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Research and Education, Adelaide University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, adelaide.edu.au.; Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), School of Allied Health and Human Performance, Adelaide University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, adelaide.edu.au.; College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, adelaide.edu.au.; Rosemary Bryant AO Research Centre, Adelaide University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, adelaide.edu.au.

DOI: 10.1155/jonm/9051680

MeSH Terms: Humans, Sleep Duration, Nurses, Sleep Quality, Sleep, Workplace