College

College of Health Professions

Date of Last Revision

2026-04-28 12:31:41

Major

Nursing

Honors Course

NURS 435-005

Number of Credits

3

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Date of Expected Graduation

Spring 2026

Abstract

This research examines the impact of night shift schedules on new nurses' mental health and work-life balance as they transition into professional practice. The transition from nursing school to the workforce presents challenges that are further compounded by shift work, which can disrupt circadian rhythms and contribute to stress, fatigue, and reduced job satisfaction. The purpose of this research is to evaluate how starting on night shift versus day shift influences nurses’ self-evaluation of work-life balance within their first year of practice. This systematic review synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed sources to assess the physical, emotional, and professional consequences of night shift work. The results indicate that night shift nurses experience higher levels of anxiety, depression, and fatigue, which can affect career longevity. These findings highlight the need for institutional policies that support new nurses in managing the demands of night shift to improve retention and overall well-being.

Research Sponsor

Carrie Wissmar

First Reader

Katherine Subotnik

Second Reader

Jonette Windham

Honors Faculty Advisor

Lori Kidd

Proprietary and/or Confidential Information

No

Community Engaged Scholarship

No

Download

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.