The need for recovery: An investigation into short-term work-related fatigue in veterinary nurses.

Publisher: Wiley Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 0031164 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2042-7670 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00424900 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Vet Rec Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: 2021- : [Oxford] : Wiley
Original Publication: -June 2009 : London : British Veterinary Medicine

Animal Technicians*/psychology ; Fatigue*/psychology; Humans ; Female ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Male ; United Kingdom ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Workload/psychology ; Work-Life Balance ; Burnout, Professional/psychology ; Burnout, Professional/epidemiology

Background: Veterinary nursing is physically and emotionally demanding, putting veterinary nurses at risk of acute work-related fatigue (AWRF). Despite the increased recognition of chronic occupational syndromes such as burnout and compassion fatigue in recent years, few studies have investigated how AWRF impacts individuals and the profession.
Methods: An anonymous survey open to all UK-based registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) was distributed via email and social media. The survey investigated work patterns, hobbies, opinions about work and intentions to leave the veterinary profession. An English translation of the need for recovery (NFR) scale was used to quantify the AWRF.
Results: The median NFR score from 387 responses was 81.8, indicating high levels of AWRF. Long shifts, sole-charge work and overtime were associated with higher scores, while having support at work and a better work-life balance were associated with lower scores. Higher scores were correlated with intentions to leave the profession.
Limitations: Although validated as a measure of AWRF, the unidimensional NFR scale oversimplifies the complexities of fatigue. A limited number of RVNs responded to the survey, reducing statistical power.
Conclusion: Although there is no single solution to staff turnover, the results from this survey suggest that addressing AWRF may improve retention of RVNs.
(© 2024 The Authors. Veterinary Record published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Veterinary Association.)

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Royal Veterinary College (BSc Veterinary Nursing)

Date Created: 20240411 Date Completed: 20240517 Latest Revision: 20240517

20240517

10.1002/vetr.3898

38603590