Nurses as Instruments of Healing: Self-Care Practices of Nurses in a Rural Hospital Setting.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Public Health

Background:

• Nursing staff often face high-stress environments.
• Self-care is crucial for maintaining well-being and preventing burnout in healthcare professionals.
• Understanding current practices informs targeted support programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess self-care behaviors and health needs of nursing staff in a rural hospital.
• To determine the feasibility and interest in a holistic self-care program.
• To identify specific program preferences among nursing personnel.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, descriptive study design was utilized.
• Data collected via structured questionnaires from registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants.
• A convenience sample of 45 nursing staff participated.

Main Results:

• Prevalent self-care practices included humor, music, spirituality, healthy sleep, reading, nutrition, and walking.
• High interest (≥75.6%) was shown in fitness programs and (≥66.7%) in nutrition education.
• A majority (73.3%) expressed willingness to participate in workplace self-care programs.

Conclusions:

• Most nursing staff acknowledge the significance of self-care.
• There is a clear preference for fitness and nutrition education programs offered at the workplace.
• Findings support the development of a holistic self-care program tailored to nursing staff needs.