NURSING RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES

Improving Nurses’ Work–life Balance: Insights from a Team-based Rostering Pilot

Timewise https://timewise.co.uk/wp-content/ uploads/2019/09/Timewise-NursingReport-2019-1.pdf

This report describes a pilot initiative to implement a teambased rostering system for nurses, with the aim of increasing nurses’ input into their working patterns and improving their work–life balance. The ultimate goal is to aid the retention of nurses in the NHS. The project worked with 240 nurses in seven wards in three hospitals. Significant improvements were realised in three areas: meeting nurses’ work–life preferences; increasing nurses’ input into rosters; and improving collective responsibility for creating the roster.

The work started with the knowledge that getting and keeping staff is now the number one challenge for the NHS. The NHS Long-Term Plan recognises that poor work–life balance is a key reason nurses leave the profession. In shift-based environments, each nurse’s working pattern is defined by the roster. Flexible working is poorly defined, and often has little to do with work–life balance: too often, it means nurses being flexible to meet service demands, with little control, and at the expense of their own work–life balance.

Team-based rostering starts from the premise that everyone has work–life balance needs and preferences, and that these need to be openly and collectively negotiated, adult to adult, among all those on each ward roster, within the constraints of service and financial needs.

The

Effect of Using Participatory Working-Time Scheduling Software on Employee Well-Being and Workability: A Cohort Study Analysed as a PseudoExperiment

Rahman Shiri, et al Healthcare 2021, 9(10), 1385 https://www.mdpi.com/22279032/9/10/1385/htm

This observational study analysed, as a pseudo-experiment, the use of participatory working time scheduling software that was associated with increased employees’ perceived control over scheduling of shifts, and improved sleep and self-rated workability. Shift workers are at increased risk of health problems. Effective preventive measures are needed to reduce the unfavourable effects of shift work. This study explored whether use of digital participatory working-time scheduling software improves employee well-being and perceived workability by analysing an observational cohort study as a pseudo-experiment.

Participants of the Finnish Public Sector cohort study with payroll records available between 2015 and 2019 were included. The study estimated the propensity score of using the participatory workingtime scheduling software on the baseline characteristics using multilevel, mixed-effects logistic regression and assigning inverse probability of treatment weights for each participant. Then it used a generalised linear model to estimate the effect of using the participatory working-time scheduling software on employees’ control over scheduling of shifts, perceived workability, self-rated health, work–life conflict, psychological distress and short sleep.

During a two-year follow-up, the participatory working-time scheduling software reduced the risk of employees’ low control over scheduling of shifts. The use of the software was not associated with changes in psychological distress, self-rated health and work–life conflict.

Shift Work in Healthcare: Rapid Research Summary

Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research https://research.iscrr.com.au/__data/ assets/pdf_file/0003/2560773/284_ TRAN_REP_Shift-Work-in-Healthcare_ FINAL_150221.pdf

The contents of this report focus on the key articles from a review of the literature on shift work in health care.

Shift work is broadly defined as any work conducted outside of “normal” working hours. “Normal hours” are defined as those between 7am and 7pm, Monday to Friday. Therefore, shift work usually requires an individual to work outside the standard sleep-wake cycle.

Shift workers are at a greater risk of physical and mental health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, digestive problems, depression and anxiety. Shift work is associated with a higher risk of workplace injuries, motor vehicle accidents, sick leave and absenteeism compared to daytime work. There is an adverse effect on the shift workers’ cognitive function, delayed reaction time, impaired information processing, and lapses in attention occur because of inadequate sleep and circadian (biological clock) misalignment. Most healthcare workers who are responsible for the care of those with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 will be shift workers, i.e., employees working in acute and aged care health and residential settings where 24/7 staffing is required to care for patients/ residents. A proportion of nonclinical staff in healthcare settings and those working in hotel quarantine will also be shift workers.

De-stress, not distress: How to unwind after work

We all have the best of intentions to improve our ‘wind-down’ time, especially after a night shift – but sometimes, our best intentions evaporate. The good news is you can change. Here are a few ideas.

Set the stage even before you start your shift

Coming home to a nurturing environment will help you wind down after a stressful day. That won’t happen automatically, though. You have to set the stage before you leave. What do you enjoy about your space? What makes it feel like home? Fresh flowers, your pet, your precious succulent pot, your own music, your yoga mat, your laptop with your next travel plans, the new cushions on the couch, your knitting? It doesn’t matter what they are, only that your space makes you feel good when you step inside.

End the day with a positive ritual

Create your own rituals and habits to close out the day and leave your stress behind. Remove your lanyard and take a deep breath. Visualise all the pressure and intensity of the day leaving your body and mind with each breath. Leave the workplace with some farewells and affirmations to and from your colleagues.

Use your commute

Me time

On the way home, take a moment to appreciate something you did well that day, or congratulate yourself for making it through something difficult. Play your favourite music or podcast. Whether you’re driving, walking, cycling or taking public transport, try to turn your commute into a small moment of ‘me time’.

Plan for something exciting Having a project to work on or a plan to look forward to can bring joy. Think about a weekend away, plan a surprise party, or brainstorm for a present you have to buy. Sometimes, thinking about doing something wonderful can be as much fun as actually doing it.

Stay connected

Invest the time in your friendships. If you’ve got a good friend who is available during your commute, make the effort to reach out on the phone for a brief chat. Even the shortest connection will help you transition out of your work persona and ground you back in your home life.

Reaching out reminds us that friends are there, and it can help dismiss the feeling of being alone.

Embrace your downtime

Finding ways to de-stress at the end of your workday or on the commute home can help you arrive home de-stressed and ready to relax. It seems counterintuitive, but sometimes we have to prepare to relax.

Embrace the positive qualities of entering your own space: time with your family and friends, a quiet night at home alone, or a refreshing sleep.

Leave work behind

If there are work issues that you need to write down in a journal, or on your list to attend to tomorrow, do it as soon as possible after you get home, to help you let it go until tomorrow. Removing your work clothes can also help you leave the day behind.

This is your time – own it!

Relax and enjoy your precious space and enjoy your relaxation, your recreating and recharging. You deserve it!

If you’re having trouble winding down after work and need a chat, give Nurse & Midwife Support a call on 1800

You and a friend will experience:

• 5 nights’ accommodation in a two-bedroom pool villa

• Inclusions valid for up to four guests (NSWNMA will arrange for two return flights only as part of this prize)*

• Return airport transfers

• Daily breakfast served in your villa

• 2 x a la carte lunches and 2 x dinners per stay