Year: 2006
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study focuses on nurses who work the night shift, and on some of the aspects of their lives.A question sometimes asked at the tertiary hospitals is 'What are the experiences of nurses who work night shift?'This thesis attempts to answer this question.The objectives of the study were to identify and describe these experiences with specific reference to the physical (bodily), social and work-related effects.In the course of this study a review of the relevant literature was undertaken, and a quantitative descriptive research design was applied.A structured questionnaire using the Likert scale, with both open and closed-ended questions was used.The study population consisted of all nurses who were on night duty (i.e., 320).Three hundred and nineteen nurses accepted the questionnaires, with 286 responding.A panel of 'experts' was used to test the validity of the questionnaire, while the test-retest method was used to test the questionnaire's reliability.The quantitative data were analysed manually and with the assistance of a Microsoft Exel computer program.The comments from the open-ended questions were used to illustrate qualitative findings.Appropriate authorisation was sought from participants, the ethical committees of the two universities 1 and the designated public hospital.The participants were informed of their right to withdraw at any point in the study process.To ensure anonymity and confidentiality, the assistance with this research study.I thank André for the many tedious little tasks I would lean on him to do and Robyn for the assistance with the referencing.For moral support, my special thanks go to Bronwyn, Gerald and Monique for their caring and encouragement by always enquiring and being there for me.The smiles of Joshua and Micaiah kept me focused.
Author: Beryldene Lucinda Swartz
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1580814113