Care-of-Self in Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Poor management of care-of-self behaviors can contribute to job dissatisfaction, burnout, and attrition in nurses. This pilot study, designed to explore self-care among nursing students, was used to examine feasibility for a future long-term study. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The data suggest a downward trend of care-of-self behaviors as students assume more responsibility for care of others. Findings substantiate the need for development and implementation of care-of-self-promoting interventions in order to increase lifelong health-promoting behaviors.

Self-care behaviors and practices of nursing students: Review of literature

“…All of the included studies clearly outlined their research question, purpose, target population, sample, and its characteristics. Out of 11 studies, five studies used cross-sectional design (1,(9)(10)(11)(12), two studies used longitudinal design (13,14), two studies used experimental designs (8,15), and one study each used qualitative (16) and action research method (17). Out of 11 studies, five studies guided the research through the lens of theoretical framework (9,11,12,14,17).…”

“…Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained in all of the studies, and essential measures were taken to ensure confidentiality, privacy, and respect of the participants. All of the studies used valid and reliable data collection instruments except some researchers (1,10,11,14). The researchers used appropriate methods for descriptive and inferential analyses.…”

“…The physical and physiological behaviors and practices of nursing students was the most repetitive theme in most of the studies (1,(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). Based on the findings of this review, it was defined as the behaviors or practices concerning diet or nutrition, exercise or physical activities, and sleeping habits of students.…”

“…Self-care is an important constituent of nursing practice (1), and its significance in nursing was first made explicit by Dorothea Orem in her self-care theory. Orem explicated that self-care is essential for the well-being of human beings, that is, both patients and nurses (2).…”

“…Orem explicated that self-care is essential for the well-being of human beings, that is, both patients and nurses (2). However, nurses and nursing students tend to focus more on nursing care of their patients and often pay little or no attention to personal self-care (1,3). Without practicing, personal self-care nurses and nursing students cannot provide quality care to their patients (4).…”