Publication:

Work performance, work-life balance and physiological well-being among nurses on night shift duty

Background Healthcare delivery requires continuous operation, making night shift nurses essential to sustaining patient care. However, night work disrupts circadian rhythms and may adversely affect work performance, work-life balance, and physiological well-being. This study examined these variables and their interrelationships among night shift nurses in a public hospital in southwestern Philippines.

Methods A descriptive-correlational design was employed among 120 night shift nurses selected through stratified and simple random sampling from a public hospital in the southwestern Philippines. Data were collected using three pilot-tested, researcher-made questionnaires assessing work performance (28 items), work-life balance (21 items), and physiological well-being (28 items), all rated on 4-point Likert-type scales. Descriptive statistics summarized variable levels, while Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses examined relationships and predictors of physiological well-being. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained prior to data collection.

Results Night shift nurses demonstrated effective task performance and adaptability, while contextual performance was fair and counterproductive behaviors were more evident. Work-life balance was generally favorable, with minimal work–personal conflict. In contrast, physiological well-being was low, marked by poor sleep quality, fatigue and physical symptoms despite moderate recovery. Physiological well-being was significantly associated with both work performance and work-life balance, with selected dimensions emerging as significant predictors.

Conclusions Despite maintaining acceptable work performance and work–life balance, night shift nurses exhibited compromised physiological well-being. The findings underscore the need for institutional strategies that support recovery, reduce physiological strain and promote sustainable night shift nursing practice.