How are you, nurse?
Nurses are not very well, according to a survey conducted among nurses in the northern region of Sydney. Smoking is the most common health risk. Fifty per cent of nurses smoke. This rate is double that of the population living in Northern Sydney. A tobacco knowledge questionnaire indicated nurses are not as well informed as they could be about the health consequences of smoking. As well, heavy smokers report the highest amount of severe anxiety. Nurses, especially young nurses, report considerable anxiety generated by the nursing profession and depression is common, specifically among the younger nurses. Sixteen per cent of nurses are severely overweight, 42% over 30 years of age are substantially overweight. Nurses also take more sleeping tablets and exercise less than people in the general population and are also more prone to respiratory tract infections, headaches and backaches. Some explanations of the poor health status of nurses are offered and ways of improving the health of nurses discussed.
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires