Health practices of nursing students: a survey

This study describes the health practices of nursing students from several nursing programs in western New York. Findings from a sample of 1,081 female students who responded to a questionnaire showed considerable variability in the extent to which students engage in health-related practices. While the majority obtain six to eight hours of sleep per night, exercise regularly, and have annual dental and physical examinations, less than half those surveyed eat breakfast everyday, over three-quarters eat between meals, and less than one-half limit fat, salt, and sugar in their diets. Most do not wear seat belts consistently; less than one-third perform breast self-examination monthly; and 90% consume alcoholic beverages and one-quarter have five or more drinks per occasion. Analyses demonstrated a statistically significant relationship between preventive-health orientation scores and age and type of basic nursing education. These data suggest that nurse faculty and health educators need to influence students' health-promoting and disease-preventing behaviors. This need is particularly salient since these students are expected to act as exemplars when they complete their education and assume positions in the health-care system.