Managing fatigue during times of crisis: Guidance for nurses, managers, and other healthcare workers (2 April 2020)

Summary

At times of crisis, healthcare workers (e.g., nurses, advanced practice nurses, physicians, nursing assistants, etc.) continue to provide care, despite ever challenging work demands, including higher influx of critically ill patients, increased work stress, and a frequent need for overtime. These work demands can compound already challenging work schedules (i.e. 12-hour shifts, night shifts), making it more difficult to obtain regular shift breaks and enough time off between shifts for adequate recovery. All of these work factors (i.e. physical, emotional, and/or mental demands) combined with insufficient sleep, contribute to fatigue. This article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives tips and resources on managing fatigue in times of crisis.