Abstract:
Clinical rotations provide invaluable experience to student nurses. However, irregular and
rotating schedules often disrupt sleep quality, negatively affecting their physical and mental
health, academic performance, and cognitive functioning. These impacts may compromise their
ability to deliver safe and effective patient care. This study employed a quantitative approach
using a descriptive correlational research design. A total of 272 respondents participated, 136
Level III and 136 Level IV student nurses from Lorma Colleges, College of Nursing. Most
respondents were between 21 and 23 years old. The distribution between year levels was equal,
with 50% from each level. Findings revealed a high impact of shift schedules on sleep quality,
indicating that sudden and rotating shifts significantly affect students' daily functioning. In
contrast, cognitive function has a moderate impact, suggesting that although mental acuity is
affected, it is not as severely impaired as sleep quality. Furthermore, most demographic profiles
showed no significant relationship with the impact of shift schedules on sleep quality and
cognitive function. However, a weak but statistically significant negative relationship was found
between the profile regarding year level and the impact of shift schedules on sleep quality. Based
on these results, student nurses may promote self-care strategies and offer institutional programs
on sleep hygiene and stress management. Implementing peer mentoring programs, where student
nurses share coping strategies that can help others adapt better to shift changes.
