Present but Absent—Nurses’ Experiences of How a Hospital Design with Only Single Bedrooms and the Technological Shift Affect Nursing

Background: Hospitals are complex environments that bring together diverse aspects of technology, society, medicine, and architecture. The aim of this qualitative study was to examine how a hospital design with originally only single bedrooms and technological innovations affect nursing. Methods: Twelve interviews were conducted with registered nurses working in a hospital in Norway. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: Results show that a layout with single bedrooms allows nurses to be present and improve patient care, but also complicates patient monitoring, leading to adverse events and patient isolation. Nurses may struggle to find colleagues, experiencing loneliness at work. Additionally, the use of technology, long corridors, and poorly positioned clinical support spaces can contribute to nurses’ mental and physical absence. Conclusions: This study provides knowledge that nurses working in a hospital environment designed with single bedrooms must modify their workflow and communication strategies. Technological advancements are necessary to support nurses’ presence and patient safety, and systems and clinical support spaces must be adequately adapted. Technologically advanced hospitals with only single bedrooms can make nurses feel both present and absent in patient care. This understanding holds significance in practical terms, offering insights to guide future hospital design and nursing practices.