Should we expect nurses to be a role model of perfect health? After all, we expect doctors to “do no harm,” hairdressers to be perfectly coiffed, dieticians to be thin, and dentists to have perfect smiles.
The nursing process requires the nurse to take on many roles; minister of information, clinical expert, emotional equalizer and educator – and yes role model. As the educator, a nurse must have the ability to educate patients and families about treatment plans, disease states and regimen following hospital discharge. Have you ever lectured a patient about developing healthy life-style habits and then walked to the cafeteria for a cheeseburger, fries and large soda? Have you ever provided a patient with anti-smoking literature and then stepped out into the parking lot later in the shift to have a smoke? Nursing is one of the most admired and trusted professions in the country. A recent Harris poll ranked nurses as the third most admired profession; just under firefighters and doctors. Do we deserve this ranking? Is it a case of ”do as I say; not as I do”? To be credible professionals in the public's eye, should we “walk the talk”?
How many nurses do you see who are out of shape and practicing poor health choices? Do you think patients and family members take them seriously when it’s obvious they don’t practice what they preach? I have noticed an increase in the number of obese nurses in hospital settings. I think this phenomenon is a reflection of both, American society with obesity on the rise, and the incredible pace nurses are forced to maintain.
When you think about it, it’s no wonder nurses are out of shape; many work swing shift, night shift and overtime shifts. Nurses work long hours with few breaks. The inability to take breaks affects a nurse’s ability to eat a nutritious diet. Many nurses grab whatever food they can find to eat on the run; and consume large quantities of soda and coffee throughout the shift. The health risks of soda and coffee consumption are well documented.
Researchers have found a significant increase in obesity and diabetes in women who drink just one sweetened soft drink a day. Men are not off the hook either as researchers said they believed the increased risk would hold true for men as well. How many sodas do you drink a day? Caffeine and sugar is widely consumed by members of our profession. Just a few feet from my ICU, nurses are able to purchase highly caffeinated espresso drinks and sugary whipped drinks day and night. Sometimes I wonder how these nurses function without getting “coffee jitters.” Starting an IV must be a challenge.
I know after working a fast-paced, stressful twelve -hour shift, all I want to do is go home and put my feet up, eat salty food, have a glass of Pinot Noir and “veg out” in front of the television. Going to the gym to work out, munching on a few carrot sticks, and drinking a couple of glasses of mineral water before bed is the last thing I want to do. But if I want to be a good role model to my patients and the profession; should I not be the picture of health and fitness?