SELF-CARE AMONG REGISTERED NURSES

SELF-CARE AMONG

REGISTERED NURSES AN EXPLORATORY RESEARCH NOTE PURPOSE This Research Note summarizes a research study that explored the professional and personal self-care practices of registered nurses in one southeastern state.

WHAT WE KNOW Nurses play a vital role in the health and wellbeing of society. Whilst undoubtedly rewarding, nursing can be a challenging career. In addition to strenuous physical demands, nurses may be at an increased risk for burnout, occupational stress, vicarious trauma, and moral injury, among other problematic phenomena.

Veritably, these consequences can be exacerbated by public health crises, such as COVID -19.

WHAT WE DID The overarching aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the frequency, group-differences (e.g., demographic and professional characteristics) and predictors of self-care practices among nurses in a southeastern state. To achieve this aim, researchers in the SelfCare Lab (SCL) at the College of Social Work at the University of Kentucky distributed an electronic survey to registered nurses1. The 18-item survey measured two domains of self-care: personal and professional.

1 2

Check out this new research note that examines #selfcare among registered #nurses.

WHAT WE FOUND A total of 371 registered nurses took part in this study.

43.46

Female .8%

years of age

93

39.42

White/ Caucasian

hours per week

90.3% 16.46

.1% 43 worked in

77 Married/

.2%

years of experience

a hospital setting

Partnered

SELF-CARE SCORES2 PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL

Protocols for this study were reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Scores ranged from 0 – 36, with higher scores indicating more frequent self-care practices.

24.13 22.22

(OUT OF 36) (OUT OF 36)

WHAT FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO MORE FREQUENT SELF-CARE PRACTICES? • Self-reported health status • Working fewer hours, per week • Financial stability • Identifying as married or partnered • Being employed OUTSIDE of a hospital setting

WHAT IT MEANS Overall, data suggest that nurses in this sample engaged in moderate self-care practices; participants engaged in personal self-care practices at a rate slightly higher than professional self-care practices. Average ratings across all items indicate that participants only engaged in self-care practices “sometimes.” Findings from this study illustrate that self-care is an area of needed growth and attention for nurses.

WHAT WE CAN DO (RE)Frame The Value of Self-Care Historically, medical models have framed self-care as a mechanism for patients to treat or prevent medical ailments. As a result, many nurses may overwhelmingly focus on the wellbeing of their patients and neglect their own needs. If self-care practices among nurses are to be improved, it is imperative to reframe self-care as germane to ethical nursing practice.

Foster the development of self-care practice skills.

Self-care is a practice skill that can be learned. As with other important practice skills, nurses should be supported and encouraged to develop appropriate self-care skills. Academic programs should integrate self-care into curricula. Professional entities and membership groups should proffer trainings related to practicing self-care. Some, such as the American Nurses Association, do offer such trainings.

Conceptualize Organizational Responses Organizational practice settings, such as hospitals, must understand the importance of self-care in providing adroit nursing services. In turn, these organizations should implement initiatives designed to train about, and support, self-care practices. It is imperative that these initiatives entail pragmatic resources, such as financial assistance/education, etc. As well, these initiatives may look to leverage experienced nurses as a tool and resource for those newer to the field.

Implement Policies Conducive to Self-Care Findings suggest the need to critically assess employment practices and policies. For example, if nurses with greater financial strains are unable to engage in self-care practices due to the cost and/or time investments, organizations should consider how they can implement changes to better enable nurses to engage in such efforts. Adapting/ implementing institutional changes such as more paid leave or longer break times during shifts may assuage these constraints. In addition, examining work hours/schedules and setting-specific dynamics may shed light on other changes necessary for supporting self-care.

Conduct More Research About Nursing and Self-Care In general, there is a lack of research related to selfcare. If the full promise of self-care is to be actualized, projects designed to explicitly investigate aspects of self-care among nurses must be conducted. This includes exploratory studies that examine factors associated with self-care, assessing the outcomes of self-care training initiatives, etc. Research partnerships may be one way to achieve these aims.

Check out this new research note that examines #selfcare among registered #nurses.

If you have questions, comments, concerns, or celebrations about this project, or to receive the full report once it is available, please email Dr. Jay Miller at Justin.Miller1@uky.edu. If you need additional self-care resources, please email SELFCARELAB@uky.edu or text SELFCARELAB to 31996.