Night shift pros and cons in nursing: qualitative study

Working at the night shift interferes with the worker personally, socially, and with family matters. The objective of the following qualitative research, conducted in a university hospital in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, was to identify the pros and cons faced by nurses in performing nocturnal work. The data collection was made from March to April 2008 through semi-structured interview. The transcription and theme analysis on the data originated pros such as interaction among nursing team and more time availability for personal life; as well as categories for cons, like lack of supporting services and social/work isolation, among others. It is suggested that managers promote collective activities for reflection, stimulating workers to identify benefits and difficulties in the working process, favoring work satisfaction.