Eureka! Institutional Repository

In the last decades, the population of shift workers, especially in developed and industrialized countries, has increased significantly. The developing countries have also experienced very often the phenomenon of the circular schedule. Almost the 17% of employees across the European Union (EU) participate in shift work regardless of gender difference. What characterizes the night work is the alternation and continuity ofshiftsandtherighttiming.Employeeswithcircuitscheduleandespeciallynurses,are experiencing problems and disordersatvarious levels, due to the disorientation of the circadian rhythm and the ultrasonic rhythms. These disorders occur in the first instance in sleep and lack of energy. This is due to the fact that the shift worker tries to make up for the accumulated lack of sleep, with low quality sleep during the day. At second level, employees with circuit schedule, have disorders in their physical and mental health, such as gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular problems, disorders of glucose metabolism, increased blood pressure, infertility, decreased attention span, psychological and cognitive disorders and emotional burnout. The third level concerns their family and social life. Working in shifts creates difficulties in family life and tends to limit the social and recreational activities of employees. The fourth level includes the job satisfaction and the performance of health professionals, which has been proved to be influenced by a number of individual and organizational factors. The aim of the present study istoexamine the correlations of the circular working hours in health and wellness in the nursing staff of the General Hospital "Gennimatas-Agios Dimitrios", to investigate the quality of sleep and the quality of life of nurses who work with circuit schedule, and also the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and occupational characteristics with sleep disorders and health-related quality of life. Survey data was collected from all the nurses of the clinics of the General Hospital"Gennimatas-Agios Dimitrios", with the distribution of a questionnaire based on the Standard Shift work Index questionnaire, while the protection of personal data, the privacy and the confidentiality of all information were ensured. The results drawn from 152 nurses data collection are that employees with circuits schedule don’t enjoy a qualitative and quantitative sleep, have chronic fatigue, have mainly cardiovascular problems, have no self-esteem and show severe symptoms of stress and emotional exhaustion. The main conclusion of the present dissertation is the further investigation of the effects of the circular schedule, the implementation of a management strategy that will include new technologies for the implementation of programs that will have the least impact on employees with circuit schedule, not only in terms of physical and mental health level, but also in their family and social activities. Moreover, training and information on the risks of shift work should be provided to the employees and their families. Staff should be made aware of the sources of information, support, and advice.