Well-Being, Occupational Fatigue, and Sleep Quality among Filipino Nurses working during COVID-19

Asia J Nurs Educ Res. 2023 Jan-Mar;13(1):67-72. doi: 10.52711/2349-2996.2023.00016. Epub 2023 Mar 16.

Abstract

Fatigue is a common symptom experienced by nurses before the pandemic, but this experience is heightened by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The literature has ample evidence of nurses experiencing occupational or work-related fatigue. In addition, human error is a significant consequence of fatigue that can significantly impact patient outcomes and be devastating for a nurse. Guided by Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Theory of Stress and Coping, we conducted a descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study aimed to 1) explore the level of occupational fatigue and sleep quality among Filipino nurses working during the COVID-19; 2) determine the relationships between occupational fatigue, sleep quality, and subjective wellbeing among Filipino nurses working during COVID-19 pandemic. One hundred twenty-six Filipino nurses across the United States working during the pandemic were surveyed using RedCap. The study showed that Filipino nurses had moderate to high acute and chronic fatigue levels, lower intershift recovery, and good sleep quality. Evidence and opportunities for health care administrations to create strategies to enhance the wellbeing of their largest and most valuable workforce.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; Filipino nurses; Occupational fatigue; sleep quality; subjective wellbeing.