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The study rationale: In earlier research on paediatric nursing care, children’s views have received only scant attention. As a rule, it is the parents’ opinions that are solicited, but these are not necessarily accurate representations of what children think. Aim: To describe school-age children’s best and worst experiences during hospitalisation. Methodological design and justification: Data were collected by using sentence completion. Using the method of content analysis, the answers were coded and main and subcategories identified. A total of 388 Finnish children aged 7-11 years from all Finnish university hospitals (n = 5) who stayed at least overnight at paediatric or surgical wards (n = 23) were included in the study. Results: Children’s best experiences were related to people, their characteristics, activities, environment and outcomes. Especially entertainment activities and objects were mentioned among best experiences. The worst experiences were related to people, feelings, activities and environment. As patients, children felt symptoms of illness and separation in an environment where someone conducted physical care and treatment activities, especially procedures perceived as unpleasant. Conclusions: Paediatric care should be improved especially by taking into account children’s best experiences and by utilising them to minimise or eliminate worst experiences. Children’s own views should be used in strategic planning, purchasing, space design and other key initiatives. Children are more likely to be less stressed if their views are taken into consideration and they are allowed to take part in their health care in accordance with their rights. Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.

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