The paper deals with the topic of the influence of shift work on the circadian rhythm of healthcare workers. It is structured in three main parts. In the first part of the paper, an introduction to the issue was made in a broader sense (shift work in general) and in a narrower sense (shift work in the health care system). In the continuation of the first part, the literature in Croatian and English, which was published in professional articles and deals with the mentioned topic, is analyzed. Shift work significantly affects the quality of sleep, but also the quality of health in general. The second part of the paper presents the research that was conducted in the form of a questionnaire filled out by 150 health workers employed at the General Hospital "dr. Tomislav Bardek" in Koprivnica. The mentioned research presented the sociodemographic data of the respondents as well as numerous aspects of the connection between shift work and sleep quality. In the last part of the work, the results were analyzed and conclusions drawn. More than 99% of respondents recognized shift work as an aggravating circumstance in the organization of everyday life. In response to the problem, the respondents offered different solutions. Most of the solutions are aimed at fairer compensation for shift work.