Rangel TL, Saul T, Bindler R, Roney JK, Penders RA, Faulkner R, Miller L, Sperry M, James L, Wilson ML. Exercise, diet, and sleep habits of nurses working full-time during the COVID-19 pandemic: An observational study.
Appl Nurs Res 2023;
69:151665. [PMID:
36635006 PMCID:
PMC9743780 DOI:
10.1016/j.apnr.2022.151665]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Healthy diet, exercise, and sleep practices may mitigate stress and prevent illness. However, lifestyle behaviors of acute care nurses working during stressful COVID-19 surges are unclear.
PURPOSE
To quantify sleep, diet, and exercise practices of 12-hour acute care nurses working day or night shift during COVID-19-related surges.
METHODS
Nurses across 10 hospitals in the United States wore wrist actigraphs and pedometers to quantify sleep and steps and completed electronic diaries documenting diet over 7-days.
FINDINGS
Participant average sleep quantity did not meet national recommendations; night shift nurses (n = 23) slept significantly less before on-duty days when compared to day shift nurses (n = 34). Proportionally more night shift nurses did not meet daily step recommendations. Diet quality was low on average among participants.
DISCUSSION
Nurses, especially those on night shift, may require resources to support healthy sleep hygiene, physical activity practices, and diet quality to mitigate stressful work environments.
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