Nurses' sleep duration and quality have declined significantly over recent decades
A meta-regression of 280 studies involving 219,245 nurses found a significant decline of 28.7 minutes in sleep duration between 1985 and 2022 (95% CI: 26.2, 33.1, ES: 0.43) and a 1.6-point increase in global PSQI scores between 1990 and 2023, indicating poorer sleep quality (95% CI: 1.47, 1.77, ES: 0.49). These trends suggest an increased risk of fatigue, impaired clinical performance, staff burnout, and work-related accidents.
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Nurses' sleep duration and quality have declined significantly over recent decades The current body of evidence comprises 1 study and 1 meta-analysis. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 49/100 (low).
The Claim
Nurses' sleep duration and quality have declined significantly over recent decades
This conclusion is most relevant to: Nurses from 45 countries (n=219,245).
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Trends in Nurses' Sleep: A Meta-Regression Involving 219,245 Nurses From 45 Countries. (Journal of nursing management, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Intensified nursing workplace demands over recent decades
- ▸Increased workload and stress among nurses
- ▸Reduced opportunities for adequate sleep
- ▸Decline in sleep duration and quality
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Nurses from 45 countries (n=219,245)
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Observational design cannot establish causality
- ▸Heterogeneity across studies in measurement methods (self-report vs. actigraphy) and geographic regions may affect comparability
Frequently Asked Questions
How much has nurses' sleep duration declined over time?▼
Nurses' sleep duration declined by an average of 28.7 minutes between 1985 and 2022.
What is the impact on nurses' sleep quality?▼
Sleep quality, measured by PSQI, worsened by 1.6 points between 1990 and 2023, indicating poorer sleep quality.
What are the potential consequences of this decline in nurses' sleep?▼
The decline may increase the risk of fatigue, impaired clinical performance, staff burnout, and work-related accidents.
What interventions are suggested to improve nurses' sleep?▼
The study highlights the need for nurse managers to recognize staff susceptibility to poor sleep and proactively develop strategies that promote healthy sleep.
References
- 1.Santostefano LG, Lushington K, Banks S, Tomkinson GR, Lang JJ, Graham K, Ruf H, Stewart K, Howland K, Headland M, Musker M, Matricciani L. “Trends in Nurses' Sleep: A Meta-Regression Involving 219,245 Nurses From 45 Countries..” Journal of nursing management, 2026. PMID: 42661299 DOI: 10.1155/jonm/9051680