“Everything you do in a patient’s room, after he is ‘put up’ for the night, increases tenfold the risk of his having a bad night. But, if you rouse him up after he has fallen asleep, you do not risk – you secure him a bad night.”
- May 12, 1820 – August 13, 1910
- Born in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany (Italy)
- Nurse, statistician
- Established modern nursing, promoted sanitary reform through her work in the Crimean War, and wrote “Notes on Nursing”
Quote
“Everything you do in a patient’s room, after he is ‘put up’ for the night, increases tenfold the risk of his having a bad night. But, if you rouse him up after he has fallen asleep, you do not risk – you secure him a bad night.”
Explanation
In this quote, Florence Nightingale underscores the importance of minimizing disturbances to a patient’s rest, especially once they have been settled for the night. She is emphasizing that restful sleep is essential for recovery, and that unnecessary interference—such as waking or moving a patient once they have fallen asleep—can significantly hinder their healing process. In Nightingale’s view, the role of a nurse is not just to administer care, but also to foster an environment where the patient can rest peacefully and avoid unnecessary stress or disruption.
The statement reflects her broader philosophy that proper care includes not only physical treatment but also environmental factors, such as maintaining a quiet, calm atmosphere conducive to rest. Nightingale was one of the earliest to emphasize the importance of sleep and rest in recovery, understanding that a patient’s overall well-being is closely tied to the ability to get adequate, undisturbed sleep. Her experience in military hospitals, where soldiers’ recovery was often hampered by noise, overcrowding, and disruption, made her acutely aware of how even minor disturbances could worsen patient outcomes.
Today, this advice is particularly relevant in hospital care and patient-centered environments. Modern medical practice has come to recognize the profound impact of sleep on healing, immune function, and mental health, especially for patients who are critically ill or recovering from surgery. In hospitals, the growing emphasis on creating quiet, restful spaces—including quiet hours and reduced night-time interventions—reflects Nightingale’s early insights. Nurses and healthcare workers are increasingly encouraged to prioritize sleep and minimize disruptions, ensuring that patients are able to rest and recover without unnecessary interruption. Nightingale’s principle remains a cornerstone in creating patient-centered care environments where rest is seen as an integral part of the recovery process.
