Skeletal Effects of Chronic Night Shift in New Nurse Hires
Summary
This prospective cohort study is following newly hired nurses over their first year of working chronic night shifts to understand how night work affects bone health. Researchers are measuring markers of bone turnover, bone mineral density, and skeletal strength over time, then comparing results with nurses working daytime schedules. The goal is to see whether night-shift exposure early in a career has measurable effects on bone metabolism. The study is registered but has not yet published results.
Why It Matters For Night Shift Workers and Night Owls
Most research on shift work and bone health has focused on long-term exposure, but this study asks whether changes begin much earlier. By tracking new nurses right as they begin night schedules, researchers can see if disruptions to circadian rhythms affect bone turnover and strength in the short term. For night-shift workers, the findings could help clarify whether bone health risks start sooner than expected, and whether early monitoring or preventive strategies are needed.
Notes
Early‑career nurse cohort; bone turnover endpoints.