Nurses as Role Models for Health Behaviours

Abstract

Nurses have a number of roles, including health promotion. Literature indicates that health messages delivered by health promoters can be strengthened when the message deliverer is a role model for the desired health behaviours. Overweight and obesity are major issues in our society and there is potential that improving existing health education for healthy eating, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight by considering the impact of the messenger. This study aims to explore the attitudes and behaviours of nurses in relation to being role models for a healthy lifestyle, and look at barriers and enablers. This study used a multimethod approach starting with semi-structured face-to-face interviews to gather qualitative data. Themes identified in the interviews included some nurses being unclear that health promotion and by extension health role modelling was their job, or they thought of role modelling purely from the perspective of professional nursing behaviours. Most agreed that nurses should role model health behaviours, this position was then softened or qualified after further discussion when they considered their own reality and that for many other nurses. Nurses felt uncomfortable with the idea of role modelling undesirable behaviour, and a way of managing the dichotomy of ‘do as I say but not as I do’, and the possibility of negative role modelling was the nurse concluding that the journey was the important thing, not necessarily achieving perfection as a role model. The follow-up online survey found that most nurses regularly delivered health education in their roles, and while many had significant struggles with their own weight and living a healthy lifestyle most felt this did not preclude them from promoting health. Most felt they had good knowledge and agreed role modelling was important. Principle barriers to living a healthy lifestyle were shift work, tiredness, multiple demands and stress eating. Nurses identified a lack of support in the workplace for making positive lifestyle changes for themselves. Key enablers were early establishment of habits, designated time and support from different sources.