How Nurses Assess Interventions to Promote Patients Sleep on Hospital Wards: Results of a Self‐Report Survey

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim The aim of this study is to describe how nurses assess interventions to promote patients' sleep on hospital wards. Desing The study was a cross‐sectional survey, and it was conducted among nurses in Finnish specialist healthcare in 2022. Methods Out of 482 eligible participants in the sampling frame, 129 nurses returned a completed questionnaire. The open‐ended question was answered by 36 participants. Data were analysed using statistical methods and inductive content analysis. Results In general, participants assessed that they perform well in sleep‐promoting activities in a hospital ward. Participants gave the highest assessment to supporting patients' mental and emotional well‐being. Minimising disturbance related to nursing interventions got the lowest scores. Based on the open‐ended questions, respondents described that the realisation of patients' sleep support in the hospital related to the care environment, patient placement within the ward, resources available for nursing interventions, sleep‐supporting aids, care culture and training related to supporting patients' sleep. Conclusion Nurses assess that they are implementing patient sleep‐promotion interventions well. Nurses realise patients' sleep promotion as a part of their daily activities. Nurses can promote patient's sleep with small activities, as long as the organisation takes care of the nurses' skills and ensures practical interventions so that the patient gets enough rest during the treatment period.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 2026 · DOI ↗