Research on the negative impact of sleep deprivation on nursing students, quality, and safety in a clinical setting is critical to overcome the issues related to the problem and ensure positive outcomes in health care provision. The findings from the study are applicable in research, practice, and policy levels. Nursing students, just like other medical scholars, tend to reduce their sleeping hours to adjust and cope with work and the pressure-filled environment (Almojali, Almalki, Alothman, Masuadi, & Alaqeel, 2017). While it is essential to achieve their objectives and become competent nurses, their excessive workload and sleep deprivation can be counterproductive and cause stress and burnout. Therefore, it is necessary for policy-makers in healthcare to create a program that would address the problem and improve the quality of sleep for students to enhance their service provision.
Researchers suggest that nurses play an important role in the policy process. Fawcett and Russell (2001) proposed a conceptual model of nursing and health policy that is useful in explaining the purpose of nursing professionals in the process. The study on sleep deprivation among nursing students will provide functional evidence to inform policy towards the wellbeing of nurses, and ultimately, the positive care outcomes for individuals and communities. The results reveal the presence of a problem that should be resolved through adequate policy analysis, evaluation, and implementation. The policy or program to address sleep deprivation will make nursing effective to “achieve health outcomes of individuals, families, groups, and communities” (Fawcett and Russell, 2001, p. 108). It will also make nurses more efficient and effective to work in health care settings. In the future, the profession and practice will benefit from productive nurses who are healthier for having a quality sleep.