Abstract: Objective To investigate the correlation of sleep self-adaptation with sleep quality in nurses. Methods Sleep selfadaptation and quality were detected in 223 military nurses following the sleep quality scale of Chinese military personnel（SQSCMP） and the soldier sleep self-adaptation scale（SSSAS）. Results The average level of sleep self-adaptation in the 223 nurse was 2.81, which was lower than the theoretical midpoint" 3".The sleep quality was significantly related with the total sleep selfadaptation level and its 5 factors（r=0.18-0.56, P＜0.05）, but not with the perceived importance factor for sleep（r=-0.027）.Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the positive self-suggestions for sleep, anti-interference of sleep, influential factor for sleep, and concentration on sleep, were the major determinants influencing the sleep quality of nurses. Conclusion The sleep quality of nurses can be effectively improved by interfering with their cognitive pattern to form sleep-related positive and correct attitudes and beliefs.