Objective: This study aimed to investigate how shift-working nursing professionals perceive the current lights-off time in wards as early, appropriate, or late and how their perceptions can be influenced when considering people's usual bedtimes.
Methods: An online survey was conducted comprising queries about the current lights-off time in wards and respondents' opinions, self-rated psychological status, and perceptions of the current lights-off time considering others' usual bedtimes. Psychological status was evaluated using the Insomnia Severity Index, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep-16, and the Discrepancy between Desired Time in Bed and Desired Total Sleep Time (DBST) Index, along with the expected DBST Index of others.
Results: Of 159 nursing professionals, 88.7% regarded the current lights-off time of 9:46±0:29 PM as appropriate. However, when considering others' usual bedtimes, the proportion perceiving the lights-off time as too early rose from 6.9% to 28.3%. Participants recommended delaying the lights-off time to 10:06±0:42 PM for patients' sleep and 10.22±0:46 PM for nursing care activities. Nursing professionals' insomnia severity was significantly higher among who responded that current light off time is too early after considering usual bedtime of other people.
Conclusion: This study underscores the need to reassess lights-off times in wards given individuals' typical bedtimes. The findings emphasize the need to address nursing professionals' perspectives and insomnia severity when optimizing lights-off schedules in healthcare settings.
Keywords: Cognition; Hospitals; Insomnia; Lighting; Sleep.