Nurses as Instruments of Healing: Self-Care Practices of Nurses in a Rural Hospital Setting.
OBJECTIVE
To better understand current self-care practices and health-promoting behaviors of nursing staff in a rural hospital and determine if there is a need for further development of a holistic self-care program for nursing staff in the hospital.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional, descriptive study, a structured questionnaire was used to collect data on current self-care practices and health needs and interests of hospital registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants from inpatient, outpatient, and emergency departments. A convenience sample of 45 was employed.


RESULTS
Most prevalent self-care practices included humor/laughter/play, music, spirituality/prayer, healthy sleep habits, reading, healthy nutrition, and walking. At least 75.6% answered to be extremely or likely to use three of five fitness programs (95% confidence interval [CI: 63.05%, 88.15%]). All four nutrition education programs were rated extremely likely or likely by at least two thirds of respondents (66.7%; 95% CI [52.93%, 80.47%]). Other programs of interests included health education programs and job stress management programs. Majority would participate in self-care program at work if one was offered (73.3%; 95% CI [60.37%, 86.23%]).


CONCLUSIONS
Majority of nursing staff recognize the importance of self-care. There is a strong preference toward fitness programs and nutrition education programs at work to other programs.
Graduate School of Nursing Western Carolina University ihlubinskawelch1@catamount.wcu.edu.
Izabela
I
Lubinska-Welch
Graduate School of Nursing Western Carolina University.
Tamera
T
Pearson
Graduate School of Nursing Western Carolina University.
Linda
L
Comer
Graduate School of Nursing Western Carolina University.
Sharon E
SE
Metcalfe
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006780:Hospitals, Rural / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*
health; health-promoting behaviors; holistic nursing; self-care; self-care programs; self-healing