Association Between Sleep Quality and Job Stress Among Night-Shift Nurses in Critical Care Units: A Cross-Sectional Study

Poor sleep quality negatively affects mood and emotional stability, which can impair risk assessment, trust, and decision-making. These cognitive functions are particularly crucial in the nursing field, where sound judgment and reliable decision-making are essential for patient care. Nursing is regarded as one of the most stressful jobs globally, as nurses encounter various pressures and challenges that contribute to job stress. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the association between sleep quality and job stress among night-shift critical care nurses, while examining how socio-demographic factors influence these issues within the working hours system in effect. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of 178 night-shift critical care nurses working in three randomly selected governmental healthcare facilities. Participants were selected via the availability sampling method. Data were collected by demographic characteristics, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Expanded Nurses Stress Scale (ENSS). Data collection took place from September 12, 2024, to October 29, 2024. SPSS 27 was used for data analysis. Results: Among the 178 nurses, 62.9% were classified as having poor sleep quality, while 37.1% had good sleep quality. A significant proportion of participants (51.1%) reported high job stress levels. The results revealed a significantly positive correlation between sleep quality and job stress.