Nurses: Role models, advocates and educators of health, safety, and wellness

Nurses struggle with the same health obstacles as the general public: weight, stress, fatigue, nicotine dependence, and substance abuse. However, nurses also face health and wellness issues unique to their profession, such as shift work, compassion fatigue, needle sticks, infectious disease exposure, hazardous chemical/drug/radiologic exposure, workplace violence and musculo-skeletal strains. Healthy nurses are empowered to promote the health, safety and wellness of themselves and the nursing profession by being more effective role models, advocates, and educators. They do this not only for themselves, but also for their families, the workplace and the public at large. Healthy nurses need to take the advice they give to their patients. The healthy nurse strives for a work/life balance, healthy weight, good nutrition, regular exercise, adequate hydration, stress identification and relief, and sufficient sleep. Individual healthy habits practiced by the nurse accomplish some of these items, but a culture of health, safety, and wellness at home, at the workplace, and in the community can benefit all employees and community members. This program will give nurses the tools to recognize their own health issues and then identify behavior changes that can benefit the individual nurse, the workplace, and the patient.