Nurses leading the way to a healthier nation
Like many professions, nursing is a difficult career that has its share of health challenges. In 2013, the American Nurses Association (ANA) asked nurses and nursing students to participate in our HealthyNurse® Health Risk Appraisal (HRA) to help identify top health and safety hazards nurses face. So far, more than 13,500 registered nurses have completed the survey.
The survey results showed that in a number of significant indicators, nurses’ health is worse than that of the average American. Nurses tend to be overweight, experience greater levels of stress, and fail to get the recommended hours of sleep. Health care delivery requires 24/7 support and it’s a well-known fact that most nurses work 12-hour shifts. While nurses are committed to caring for their patients, they often struggle to take care of themselves due to shift work, lack of sleep, stress, and lack of access to healthy food. In addition, hazards such as workplace violence and musculoskeletal injuries are contributing factors to nurses’ poorer health status. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses have the fourth-highest rate of injuries and illnesses that result in days away from work when compared to all other occupations. Nurses and other health care workers experience the highest rate of non-fatal occupational injuries and illnesses of any sectors, including manufacturing and construction.
That’s why ANA designated 2017 as the “Year of the Healthy Nurse.” Each month throughout the year, ANA will highlight various health, safety, and wellness topics important not only to nurses, but to their coworkers, families, patients, and communities. We’ll also provide a range of tools and resources to promote and support nurses on their journey to good health.
As part of our commitment to better health, we’re extremely excited to announce the launch of the Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation™ (HNHN) Grand Challenge (http:// www.healthynursehealthynation.org/). This initiative will connect and engage individual nurses, employers of nurses, and state nurses organizations and specialty nurse associations in a social movement to transform the health of the nation by improving the health of the nation’s 3.6 million registered nurses in five key domains— physical activity, rest, nutrition, quality of life, and safety.
The HNHN Grand Challenge will provide a unique web platform to inspire action, cultivate friendly competition, provide content and resources to users, gather data, and serve to connect nurses with each other, with employers and organizations. In addition, there will be health challenges related to the domains, such as a quality of life challenge with daily tips on reducing stress and a safety challenge with tips on safe patient handling and mobility.
Why is nurses’ health important to every American? As the largest group of health professionals, nurses are the first point of contact with patients. Nurses should be viewed as exemplars of health. Healthy clinicians are more likely to talk to their patients about how to be healthy, and will be more credible when promoting those behaviors.
As the most trusted profession, nurses recognize the importance of being role models of good health. ANA is committed to supporting nurses nationwide on their journey to wellness. By supporting each other, we can ensure that nurses are healthier than ever—and are leading the way to a healthier nation. — Pamela F. Cipriano, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
President, American Nurses Association