NIOSH has recently released a new training resource for nurses on shift work and long training hours. This training program is the outcome of several years of work done in collaboration with healthcare stakeholders, including professional healthcare organizations and academic groups. The content is derived from the scientific literature on shift work, long work hours, sleep, and circadian rhythms. This free course is divided into two parts. Part 1 relays the health and safety risks that are associated with shift work and long work hours. Short-term risks include injury and deaths due to fatigue. Long-term risks include the development of chronic health problems, including cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal diseases, diabetes, cancer, mood disorders, and having adverse reproductive outcomes. Mistakes by tired workers can also lead to patient care errors and vehicle crashes that endanger the broader community. Part 2 covers strategies to reduce risks, including management strategies to improve the design of work schedules and the organization of the work and personal strategies for nurses. The course is multi-media and interactive, using quizzes and video testimonials from several nurses. The self-paced course is available for desktop and mobile devices and takes about 3 hours to complete. Continuing education certificates will be available for persons who complete the course.
