Ellyn Matthews, PhD, RN, AOCNS, CBSM, who holds the Elizabeth Stanley Cooper Endowed Chair in Oncology Nursing at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, discusses the role of oncology nurses in handling sleep disturbances. 

Sleep quality should be a part of the normal nurse—patient conversation, and perhaps even a note on a patient’s electronic medical record, Matthews says. By asking patients how they are sleeping, and how their sleep is affecting their daytime routines can help them get the help they need regarding issues falling asleep, staying asleep, not feeling rested, and having an erratic sleep schedule. 

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Ellyn Matthews, PhD, RN, AOCNS, CBSM, who holds the Elizabeth Stanley Cooper Endowed Chair in Oncology Nursing at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, discusses the role of oncology nurses in handling sleep disturbances.

Ellyn Matthews on Addressing Sleep Disturbances

Ellyn Matthews, PhD, RN, AOCNS, CBSM, who holds the Elizabeth Stanley Cooper Endowed Chair in Oncology Nursing at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, addresses common misconceptions that patients with cancer have about sleep disturbances.

Matthews says that many patients feel as if sleep problems shouldn’t be a priority for their doctors and nurses, because the focus should be on managing or curing cancer. Also, patients often think that there is nothing they can do to fix their problems sleeping, or may be apprehensive to implement lifestyle changes to help them sleep better.

It is important that nurses frequently ask their patients about sleep quality so that, if needed, they can get the care plan needed to improve their night’s rest.  

Ellyn Matthews, PhD

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Ellyn Matthews on Addressing Sleep Disturbances

Ellyn Matthews Addresses Misconceptions About Sleep Disturbances