Work

Work Hours, Overtime, and Break Time of Registered Nurses Working in Medium-Sized Korean Hospitals

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: This cross-sectional study used quantitative survey data collected from registered nurses (RNs) who worked as staff nurses in medium-sized (300 beds or less) Korean hospitals. Data from 290 RNs were analyzed to examine the nature and prevalence of staff nurses' work hours, overtime, breaks, and related work conditions. The results showed that staff nurses working in medium-sized Korean hospitals worked 9.6 hours a day on average and had 1.5 breaks daily, including mealtime. The average number of days the nurses skipped a meal due to work during the last month was 6.1. With respect to skipping bathroom breaks due to work, staff nurses reported that they could not visit the bathroom 7.3 times during the last month. Regarding work conditions, staff nurses working in intensive care units reported having longer daily work hours and were more likely to work 10 hours or more per shift. Nurses with less than 3 years of experience reported longer daily work hours and fewer breaks.

Source: Workplace Health & Safety

DOI: 10.1177/2165079918769683

Authors: Sung-Heui Bae, Sung-Woo Hwang, Gunjeong Lee

Institutions: Ewha Womans University, Doowon Technical University College

Language: English

Topic: Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Ewha Womans University