Improved sleep patterns positively affect learning outcome among Danish nursing students

ICN 2017 - Concurrent session / Poster
Topic: Nursing education and learning
Submission identifier: ICN17-EN-ABS-2430
Improved sleep patterns positively affect learning outcome among Danish nursing students
Ina Koldkjær Sølling* 1, Per Carøe1
1Department of Nursing, UCN, Aalborg, Denmark
Abstract Content: Improved sleep patterns positively affect learning outcome among Danish nursing students
Introduction
Too little sleep and poor quality of sleep lead to reduced brain activity and learning as well as increase the risk of
erroneous behaviour. In addition, it leads to bad mood, tiredness, poor social competences, risk of reporting in sick and
development of stress and attrition. Research indicates that especially young people, sleep too little and have poor
quality of sleep. Learning outcome and ability to manage unpredictability and work pressure in their nursing practice are
thus negatively affected. To bridge the gap between theoretical education and clinical practice may thus be challenging.
Sleep physiology is taught at the nursing education programme; this does not mean that nursing students develop good
sleep habits.
Methods
To support learning an innovative method was chosen where nursing students were motivated to develop good sleep
habits through peer learning. Nursing students were taught in groups by other students, so-called sleep ambassadors.
On the basis of a training programme they developed a creative concept with exercises, tests (memory and power of
concentration) and social activities in connection with theoretical teaching in the subject of sleep. This concept was
followed-up by social media activities motivated the nursing students to change their sleep habits.
Results
This project has been completed by one of two classes of first semester students at the nursing education programme at
UCN. This class demonstrated better examination results and a lower drop-oup rate compared with the other class.
Moreover, the project had a positive impact on the study environment.
Conclusion
Despite statistical uncertainty, the programme has been implemented at the nursing education programme. As a part of
the study introduction and due to the professional content of the programme it demonstrated positive effect on the study
environment. Through peer learning, the ambassadors will promote another project on health behaviour among another
group of nursing students.
A presumed positive side effect is that nursing students become more aware of sleep problems among patients.
Moreover, improved sleep patterns among nurses benefit patient safety as the number of errors will decrease.
Submission for: Poster presentation
National Nurse Association: Denmark: Danish Nurses' Organization
Name of member: Ina Koldkjær Sølling
Membership Number: 47827
Presenting Author Bio 1: Ina Koldkjær Sølling RN, MGC. Department of Nursing, University College of Northern
Denmark, Denmark
Author biography 2: Per Carøe RN, MI. Department of Nursing, University College of Northern Denmark, Denmark
Disclosure of Interest: None Declared
Keywords: Innovation, Learning Environment, Peer Learning, Sleeping Habits