Changes in health behaviours and health status of novice nurses during the first 2years of work.

Abstract

To explore changes in health behaviours and health status of novice nurses during the first 2years of work. Novice nurses experience many difficulties in maintaining healthy behaviours while adapting to clinical settings. However, studies about the health of novice nurses have not focused on changes over time. Longitudinal descriptive study with self-reported questionnaires. Data were collected from 493 novice nurses who started work between September 2014 - December 2015 at a tertiary hospital in Seoul. Dietary behaviours, sleep, depressive symptoms, perceived stress and health status were measured at six time points during the first 2years of work (the first day of orientation before ward placement, 6weeks after starting work and 6, 12, 18 and 24months of work). Changes were examined using means or percentages and 95% confidence intervals. Unhealthy dietary behaviours increased across 6months, continuing for 2years. Sleep quality and quantity, depressive symptoms, perceived stress and health status first worsened and then improved; however, they were worse than at baseline. Organizational support for novice nurses is urgently needed. Workplace health education programmes will help them adjust to rotating shift work and maintain better health status.