Quick Returns Between Shifts and Nurse Health: A Scoping Review

Background Shift work, particularly the scheduling of quick returns (QRs), is a notable challenge within the healthcare sector. QRs, where a day shift follows an evening shift with less than 11 h of rest, pose significant demands on healthcare personnel. They are associated with insufficient recovery between shifts, which may adversely affect sleep, health, and job performance. This review aimed to map and synthesize the available evidence on the consequences of QRs for rotating nurses. Method A scoping review methodology was adopted using an inductive data collection and analysis approach. Studies published between January 2015 and February 2024 were sourced from five electronic databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Oria, and Google Scholar. The search was limited to studies published in English, Swedish, Danish, or Norwegian. A blinded selection process was conducted to ensure unbiased selection. Data were extracted and analyzed thematically and numerically to identify the breadth of outcomes reported. Results This research analyzed 30 studies involving over 110,000 participants, 15 of which were conducted in the Nordic region. Apart from one online survey of an unspecified location, all utilized quantitative methods. Thematic analysis identified five main categories of consequences of QRs: effects on sleep, physical health, psychological health, psychosocial well‐being, and work‐related incidents. Studies varied in how QRs were defined and measured. Conclusion QRs have been consistently associated with adverse short‐ and long‐term consequences for nurses’ sleep, health, and work environment, although some studies report no significant effects. Methodological heterogeneity and the absence of qualitative studies remain important limitations. This review highlights the need for future research to explore nurses’ lived experiences of QRs and to examine how different health systems may mitigate their impact. Policy and scheduling practices should consider strategies to reduce the frequency of QRs or provide adequate recovery time in order to protect nurses′ well‐being and patient safety.