Introduction Shift work is a recognized occupational risk factor for sleep disturbances, particularly among healthcare professionals. Nurses are especially vulnerable due to irregular work schedules, night duties, and the high physical and psychological demands of clinical practice. The aim of this study was to assess the association between shift work and insomnia among nurses using the Athens Insomnia Scale. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 110 nurses. Data were collected using an anonymous electronic questionnaire consisting of an original sociodemographic and occupational section and the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric methods, including the Mann–Whitney U -test, Kruskal–Wallis test, Spearman's rank correlation, and chi-square test, with the significance threshold set at p ≤ 0.05. Results The mean AIS score in the study group was 9.62 (SD = 4.60), indicating a high burden of sleep disturbances in the analyzed population. Nurses on shift schedules, including night duties, had higher AIS scores than those on daytime schedules only; however, this difference did not reach statistical significance ( p = 0.204). Similarly, no significant associations were found between AIS score and age, length of service, education level, family status, number of jobs, weekly working hours, or hospital referral level. In contrast, the use of hypnotics was associated with significantly higher insomnia severity ( p = 0.033). Conclusion Insomnia symptoms were common among the nurses in the study group. Although shift work was associated with higher insomnia scores, no statistically significant relationship was observed in this sample. The findings nevertheless indicate the need for further large-scale studies and organizational measures to improve sleep hygiene and working conditions among nurses.
Szczupak et al. (Wed,) studied this question.