Shift Work

High sleep density in short sleep periods is presented as supporting cognitive performance for high-stakes decisions. Shift workers, especially night workers, are thought to use divided sleep more often than non-shift workers. The study defines night shift work as schedules involving at least four hours between 00:00 and 06:00. The operational night shift definition was selected to support comparability while capturing biologically relevant nocturnal exposure. Most nurses in the sample worked rotating shifts, making shift work a major exposure. Night shift work causes biological misalignment by desynchronising internal circadian rhythms from the external environment. Night workers exhibit daily behavior patterns that misalign with their central circadian clock. Rotating between day, evening, and night duties may worsen fatigue by disrupting circadian rhythm and sleep quality. Temperature is described as a hard circadian reset for jet lag, daylight saving time transitions, and irregular shifts. Rotational shift work was independently associated with higher alarm fatigue compared with fixed shifts. Shift work is associated with disrupted sleep, circadian misalignment, poorer sleep q…