Sick leave patterns of nurses on permanent and rotating shifts

A nonexperimental, retrospective study was conducted to determine if an association existed between the use of sick leave and the shifts worked by nurses: (a) rotating shifts, (b) permanent night shifts, or (c) permanent evening shifts. The conceptual framework was based on circadian rhythms. Data were collected utilizing the certified time schedules from a large, metropolitan, tax-supported hospital. The sample in this study consisted of 25 nurses working rotating shifts, 25 nurses working permanent night shifts, and 25 nurses working permanent evening shifts. The hypothesis stated that nurses who work rotating shifts or permanent night shifts use more sick leave than nurses who work permanent evening shifts. The hypothesis was not supported (F = 1.62, df = 2,37, E = .211).