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

AIMS: To explore changes in health behaviours and health status of novice nurses during the first 2 years of work. BACKGROUND: 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. DESIGN: Longitudinal descriptive study with self-reported questionnaires. METHODS: 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 2 years of work (the first day of orientation before ward placement, 6 weeks after starting work and 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of work). Changes were examined using means or percentages and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Unhealthy dietary behaviours increased across 6 months, continuing for 2 years. Sleep quality and quantity, depressive symptoms, perceived stress and health status first worsened and then improved; however, they were worse than at baseline. CONCLUSION: 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.