Do RNs in British Columbia Work Excessive Hours? A Registry Data Study

Excessive work hours may increase fatigue in registered nurses and reduce performance and fitness to practice. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of excessive work hours among College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia registrants as reported during their licensure renewal as well as the factors associated with excessive hours, including age, sex, Canadian or foreign education, area of specialization, and multiple jobs. The authors found that 6.5% of nurses (2,090 of 32,142) worked more than 2,000 hours during the study year and that 1.4% (466 of 32,142) exceeded 2,500 hours. Males; older nurses; foreign-educated nurses; critical care, operating room, geriatric, administration, education, and research nurses; and nurses with multiple jobs worked excessive hours more frequently than their counterparts. The potential for collaboration between employers and regulators is discussed.