Examining the Consequences of Night Shifts on Job Satisfaction and Quality of Life (QoL) Among Palestinian Nurses

Introduction Night-shift work is essential to hospital continuity but may disrupt circadian rhythms, impair recovery, and reduce nurses’ well-being, particularly in resource-limited health systems. Evidence from Palestine remains limited. Objective(s) To examine the association between night-shift frequency and job satisfaction, assess differences in quality of life (QoL) domains by night-shift exposure, and identify predictors of QoL among Palestinian nurses using a Job-Demands–Resources perspective. Methods A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted among registered nurses ( N = 186) recruited from three public hospitals (Al-Watani Hospital, Rafidia Hospital, and Tubas Hospital; April–May 2025). Participants completed the Job Satisfaction Survey and WHOQOL-BREF. Night shift frequency was categorized as <6 versus ≥6 night shifts/month. Group differences were tested using independent t -tests, and multiple linear regression examined predictors of overall QoL (sleep disturbance, perceived workload, age, and gender). Results Nurses working ≥6 night shifts/month reported lower job satisfaction (3.34 ± 0.58 vs. 3.89 ± 0.45; p < .001) and poorer QoL across physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains (all p ≤ .006). In regression analysis, sleep disturbance (β = −0.47, p < .001) and perceived workload (β = −0.31, p < .001) were significant predictors and explained 42% of the variance in overall QoL; age and gender were not significant. Conclusion Frequent night-shift exposure among Palestinian nurses is associated with lower job satisfaction and reduced QoL. Interventions targeting sleep disruption and workload—such as ergonomic scheduling, adequate recovery time, and fatigue-risk management—may improve nurse well-being and retention.