The relationship of shift work to nurses' satisfaction and perceived work performance.

Shift work is an important issue in the nursing profession because it is difficult for most nurses to avoid it in some form or another (Mott, Mann, McLoughlin & Warwick, 1965; Rose, 1984). Being a working nurse, in most circumstances, implies working some form of shift schedule. Not only does shift work affect an individual's health, social life and performance (Aschoff, 1980; Colligan, 1983; Colquhoun & Rutenfranz, 1980; Felton, 1975), it also affects job satisfaction, fitness and life satisfaction in general (McGrath, Kelly & Machatka, 1984). The deleterious effects of shift work have generally been attributed to desynchronization of the work-sleep cycle (Felton, 1975). This, in turn, may lead to disruption of the various metabolic functions which follow a circadian pattern (Tom, 1976; Walker, 1978). Thus, while shift work is essential for patient care, it can obviously result in negative effects on the nurses themselves. It is important, therefore, that researchers concern themselves with the effects of shift work and, in particular, with predicting individual responses to shift work.