Chronobiologic aspects of sleep-wake cycle and anxiety levels of nurses working on different shifts

This research had as objectives: to identify the chronotypes of nurses on different shifts, to study the sleep patterns and to identify the levels of anxiety trace-state, correlating the chronotypes with the variables trace-anxiety and state-anxiety. It was conducted at the Clinics Hospital of the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), with 40 subjects. The preponderant chronotype of the morning shift nurses was the morning moderate and the ones from the afternoon and night shifts were the indifferent type. Regarding to the sleep patterns, the morning shift nurses sleep less, wake up earlier with help of the alarm clock in relation to the other shifts. As for the levels of trace-state anxiety, they were located in the levels I (low) and II (moderate) of trace-state anxiety. This study allowed us to conclude that the nurses are satisfied and motivated with the work conditions of the institution.