[bigmomma]

In my nursing class today we had a discussion about nurses physical and mental condition. We all came down to this question, "Based on statistics, why does a nurses weight increase and positive attitude decrease the longer she works?" Would love to share all of your answers with my classmates!

[barefootlady]

Too many years of grabbing too greasy foods in cafe, and too little exercise. High levels of stress. No support from other nurses we work with to diet and exercise .

[nursemaa]

Positive attitude probably decreases due to the stress of the job: high patient acuity, sometimes too many patients, high patient turnover on the unit, feeling like we're just waiting for one more patient to crash and burn, most nurses care passionately about their patients but are working in a "business" that is very much $$ oriented, witnessing intense grief and/or suffering on a regular basis, lack of respect from physicians/the public....I could go on and on. In addition, poor attitude is contagious and is passed on from nurse to nurse.

Weight probably increases due to "stress eating", using up so much energy caring for others that we don't take proper care of ourselves, grabbing quick foods (often not nutritious) as we dash from work to school to family events, eating institutional food that is suprisingly not healthy, no time or energy left to exercise.

We know what are the "right" things to do for our health but are often just too stressed and tired to deal with it!

[cg6303]

Stress eating!!!!!!!!! I absolutely love food now- especially since i work nights- I find trying to stay awake and focused that food and caffeine go a long way. But, nurses have to learn to balance themselves with exercise (which i have recently found) it really does help -I am much less tired and I have yet to gain those infamous pounds your talking about. I totatlly recommend adding some kind of exercise to your weekly schedule. Its great for your mind and your body!!!