Rehabilitation Nurses and Sleep Health: A Survey Study Protocol and Participation Invitation...34th Australasian Rehabilitation Nurses' Association (ARNA) Annual Conference, October 23-24, 2025, Melbourne, Victoria

Abstract

Background Good sleep is vital. The properties of sleep assist neuronal repair, regeneration and reorganisation. The sleep stages of Rapid Eye Movement and Slow Wave Sleep particularly, assist brain recovery with the facilitation of memory, learning and emotional regulation. The reasons for sleep disturbance during brain injury rehabilitation are multifactorial. The brain injury, pain, anxiety, environment and premorbid sleep problems can all contribute to poor sleep quality and quantity. Chronic poor sleep can result in long term biopsychosocial consequences, and resilience as the capacity to withstand and recover, may deteriorate. Sleep has been recognised as a domain of nursing care for hundreds of years. Historically, sleep received little attention in health professional education programs, and little was known about health professionals understanding of sleep. Knowledge about the provision of sleep health care, in relation to the nuances of specific nursing specialities is lacking, and the focus on rehabilitation nursing is important for the care of rehabilitation patients. Furthermore, sleep health for nurses themselves is a research priority, particularly reducing harm for shift workers. Understanding the sleep health of rehabilitation nurses is important for nurses' wellbeing and performance. Aim The aim of this study is to understand sleep health from the perspective of rehabilitation nurses. Methods We are conducting an anonymous cross-sectional survey of rehabilitation nurses. Results It is hoped the results from this study will contribute to a body of knowledge that improves recovery after ABI and supports the wellbeing of rehabilitation nurses. Discussion Understanding rehabilitation nurses experience and perceptions on sleep will be a key finding of this study.