Work performance, work-life balance and physiological well-being among nurses on night shift duty

Background: Healthcare delivery requires continuous operation, making night shift nurses essential to sustaining patient care. However, night work disrupts circadian rhythms and may adversely affect work performance, work-life balance, and physiological well-being. This study examined these variables and their interrelationships among night shift nurses in a public hospital in southwestern Philippines. Methods: A descriptive-correlational design was employed among 120 night shift nurses selected through stratified and simple random sampling from a public hospital in the southwestern Philippines. Data were collected using three pilot-tested, researcher-made questionnaires assessing work performance (28 items), work-life balance (21 items), and physiological well-being (28 items), all rated on 4-point Likert-type scales. Descriptive statistics summarized variable levels, while Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses examined relationships and predictors of physiological well-being. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained prior to data collection. Results: Night shift nurses demonstrated effective task performance and adaptability, while contextual performance was fair and counterproductive behaviors were more evident. Work-life balance was generally favorable, with minimal work–personal conflict. In contrast, physiological well-being was low, marked by poor sleep quality, fatigue and physical symptoms despite moderate recovery. Physiological well-being was significantly associated with both work performance and work-life balance, with selected dimensions emerging as significant predictors. Conclusions: Despite maintaining acceptable work performance and work–life balance, night shift nurses exhibited compromised physiological well-being. The findings underscore the need for institutional strategies that support recovery, reduce physiological strain and promote sustainable night shift nursing practice.