Sleep is a fundamental component in maintaining good health (Pilkington [185]). Sleep deprivation can have a number of detrimental physiological effects, including fatigue, irritability, confusion, decreased pain tolerance, delayed wound healing (Radtke et al. [191]), and declines in immune function, memory and strength (Tamarat et al. [223]).

Inadequate sleep, either in length or quality, can therefore contribute to poor health, further complicate existing illnesses, prolong recovery and therefore increase length of hospital stay. Sleep promotion should be a nursing priority (Clark and Mills [37]).

The hospital environment is often poorly conducive to sleep (Auckely et al. [13]). Factors contributing to this can be external or internal (Honkavuo [88]). External factors include noise caused by alarms, equipment, or movements or conversations; care interventions by healthcare staff, such as nocturnal vital sign monitoring or pressure relief; temperature and comfort issues; and light exposure (Dobing et al. [51], Fillary et al. [62], Honkavuo [88]). Internal factors can be physical, such as pain, hunger, thirst and toilet needs (Honkavuo [88]), or psychological, such as anxiety, restlessness, poor communication and being in a new environment (Salzmann‐Erikson et al. [203]). As the primary caregivers, nurses are strategically placed to minimize these factors and support patients to achieve and sustain sleep (Hoey et al. [86]).