ANA: Nurse Fatigue Is a Patient Safety Crisis, Not a Personal Failing
First major update since 2014 puts responsibility on employers, with an evidence-based roadmap for safer schedules and staffing
SILVER SPRING, MD – The American Nurses Association (ANA) has released a new position statement, Addressing Nurse Fatigue to Promote Health, Safety, and Well-Being for All, the organization’s first comprehensive update on the issue since 2014. The position statement reflects new evidence and post-pandemic workforce realities, emphasizing that fatigue is not an individual failing, rather, it is a predictable outcome of workplace conditions that must be addressed through organizational policy, staffing practices, and a culture of safety. Effective fatigue prevention and mitigation is a joint responsibility, shared by both employers and nurses.
“Fatigue isn’t a matter of willpower. It’s a systems problem, and it requires systemic solutions,” said Brad Goettl, DNP, DHA, APRN, FAAN, FACHE, Chief Nursing Officer of the American Nurses Enterprise. “When nurses are routinely scheduled in ways that don’t allow for adequate rest and recovery, patients, nurses, and entire care teams bear the consequences. ANA’s position statement makes clear that addressing fatigue is a non-negotiable safety responsibility, and it provides a roadmap for employers to build safer schedules, stronger staffing practices, and a culture where raising fatigue concerns is supported, not penalized.”
The statement calls on employers and healthcare leaders to implement evidence-based interventions, including:
· Adequate intershift recovery time
· Limits on excessive and consecutive hours
· Predictable scheduling practices
· Nonpunitive reporting environments.
It also identifies steps nurses can take individually:
· Prioritizing sleep hygiene
· Arranging non-work obligations around needed rest when possible
· Taking structured breaks during work when possible
· Monitoring personal fatigue, hours worked, and readiness to practice safely
The statement further emphasizes fatigue risk management, ethical safeguards, and leadership accountability for both patient safety and nurse well-being.
Read Addressing Nurse Fatigue to Promote Health, Safety, and Well-Being for All at nursingworld.org.
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American Nurses Association
As the preeminent organization representing more than 5 million nurses, the American Nurses Association stands at the forefront of advancing nursing excellence. The association harnesses The Power of Nurses® to champion the profession and drive transformation in healthcare. Through legislative and political advocacy, comprehensive educational services, and the profession’s leading Code of Ethics and Scope and Standards, the association empowers nurses across every specialty and practice setting. The association is committed to ensuring healthy work environments, shaping pioneering policies, and cultivating partnerships that enhance both the nursing profession and the broader healthcare experience.