Objectives To investigate the relation between shift work, and sleep quality and mental health in female nurses in south Taiwan. Meanwhile, the nurses with rotation shift were further explored the association between types of shift work schedule and sleep quality and mental health and 1 year to understand the association between the variances of sleep quality and mental health and change of nightshift days.

Methods We recruited 1360 female nurses and 407 with rotation shift were followed and responded the second questionnaires. Data was measured by a self-administered questionnaire including demographic variables, shift type and arrangement, sleep quality (PSQI) and mental health (CHQ-12).

Results The nurses with rotation shift appeared to have the worst sleep quality and mental health than nurse with day work (PSQI: 7.32 vs 9.04; CHQ-12: 4.15 vs 5.07). Among rotation shift nurses, we found that 2 days off after the last-night shift, the sleep quality and mental health were significantly improved, with decreased of 1.23 on PSQI score and 0.86 on CHQ-12 score, respectively. Compared with the first and second survey of sleep quality, the sleep quality was aggravated among nurses with increased nightshift days only.

Conclusions Female nurses of rotation shift are experiencing poor sleep quality and mental health and 2 or more days off after the last-nightshift might improve their sleep quality and mental health. The 2 days off after the last-nightshift need application to the manger of nursing department of the hospital and a suitable load of cumulative nightshift days was also considered.