Preparing student nurses to be healthy role models: A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Health Promotion
• Professional Role Modeling

Background:

• International and national expectations place a significant emphasis on nurses serving as healthy role models.
• Existing literature highlights a gap in understanding how nursing education prepares students for this crucial aspect of their professional identity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the experiences and perceptions of student nurses, nurse educators, and registered nurses regarding healthy role modeling.
• To explore the extent to which undergraduate nurse education equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge to be healthy role models.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory qualitative design was employed in the South of England.
• Data were collected from 39 participants (student nurses, nurse lecturers, registered nurses) through focus groups.
• Thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data.

Main Results:

• Nurses understand the core components of being a healthy role model but perceive their work environment as detrimental to maintaining personal health.
• Varied opinions exist on whether nurses should be exemplars of health or share common societal health struggles.
• Student nurses and registered nurses reported insufficient knowledge of health promotion and a lack of relevant content in their undergraduate curriculum.

Conclusions:

• Nursing education requires significant enhancement to adequately prepare student nurses to be healthy role models.
• Early and ongoing support and training are essential for student nurses to effectively embody and promote healthy lifestyles.
• Addressing the perceived conflict between professional role modeling expectations and workplace realities is crucial for nurse well-being and effective role modeling.