Lifestyles, Work, and Health of U.S. Hospital Nurses

BackgroundUnhealthy lifestyles contribute to greater than half than of the premature deaths in the US. With fewer than 5% of nurses practicing healthy lifestyles and hospitals one of the most hazardous workplaces, nurses’ health and safety are at risk.Purpose To examine the lifestyle behaviors, health, and hospital workplace environment of U.S. registered nurses (RNs).Methods A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to analyze data from the American Nurses Association HealthyNurse online health risk appraisal from October 2013 to December 2015 with a convenience sample of 2,730 U.S. hospital nurses. Social and work demographics, lifestyle and health measures included: dietary fruit and vegetable consumption (5 servings/day), physical activity (150 min./week of moderate to vigorous intensity), not smoking, moderate alcohol, sleep (7-8 hours), perceived health (self-rated, role limitations, mental & emotional) and actual diagnoses. Workplace measures were: climate, risks, sharps, safe patient handling and mobility, bullying/violence, fatigue, workplace wellness, absent/present. Results Sample nurses (female [92%], age [40.0M], White [75%], BSN/ASN [45%/31%] experience 42% < 5 years) had a healthy diet (14%), adequate sleep (53%) and physical activity (45% - 47%), not smoking (94%), and moderate alcohol use (93%). Self-rated health was very good or excellent (47%); role limited by pain, physical, or mental health (averaged 3 of 14 days), mental health for fatigue (5 of 14 days). Actual health: allergies 29.1%, low back pain 21.8%, migraines 17.9%, depression 17.8%; and weight with BMI ≤ 25 kg/m2 42.9%. Key work findings: risks of workplace stress (80%), musculoskeletal strain (60%), and hospital-acquired infections (45%); few nurses (26% and 34%) were involved safety technology selection; 75% favorable employer perceptions. Bullying experienced by: persons in authority (42%), peers (56%), patients or family (56%). Nurses’ work: dayshift (58%), 12-hour shifts (52%), overtime (41%), unplanned overtime (67%), > 50% felt obligated to work when ill. Conclusions Nurse challenges in practicing healthy lifestyles are compounded by the hospital workplace environment