An Intervention to Improve Mental and Physical Health of Undergraduate Nursing Students.

BACKGROUND: Nursing students experience poorer mental and physical health relative to students in other health-related disciplines and young adults of similar age outside post-secondary school. Compromised mental and physical health has numerous negative impacts on nursing students and can result in burnout and development of chronic diseases. PURPOSE: To determine whether an asynchronous online yoga intervention would improve mental and physical health of students. METHODS: An asynchronous online 6-week yoga intervention was carried out between January and December 2021, using a pre/post design. Participants' symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and self-compassion were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale and Self-Compassion Scale and core endurance was assessed using the Mackenzie Core Endurance Test prior to commencement and at the conclusion of the program. RESULTS: Of 114 participants, 68 completed the online program and pre and post measures showed that the mean depression, anxiety, stress, self-compassion and core endurance scores improved significantly (p<0.001) between baseline and study completion. CONCLUSION: A six-week virtual yoga program significantly improved mental and physical health of undergraduate nursing students. Targeted modifications to the yoga program might enhance participant retention.

A systematic review of yoga interventions for helping health professionals and students.

Helping Health Professionals (HHP) and HHP students are among the highest risk occupational groups for compromised mental and physical health. There is a paucity of information regarding preventive interventions for mental and physical health in this group of healthcare providers. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to examine the effectiveness of yoga interventions for the prevention and reduction of mental and physical disorders among HHPs and HHP students. DESIGN: An exhaustive systematic search was conducted in May 2020. Databases searched in the OVID interface included: MEDLINE(R) and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and Daily, Embase, and PsycINFO. EbscoHost databases searched included: CINAHL Plus with Full Text, SPORTDiscus with Full Text, Alt HealthWatch, Education Research Complete, SocINDEX with Full Text, ERIC, and Academic Search Complete. Scopus was also searched. RESULTS: The search yielded 4,973 records, and after removal of duplicates 3197 records remained. Using inclusion and exclusion criteria, titles and abstracts were screened and full text articles (n = 82) were retrieved and screened. Twenty-five studies were identified for inclusion in this review. Most frequently reported findings of yoga interventions in this population included a reduction in stress, anxiety, depression, and musculoskeletal pain. CONCLUSION: It is our conclusion that mental and physical benefits can be obtained through implementation of yoga interventions for HHPs and HHP students across a variety of settings and backgrounds. However, researchers would benefit from following recommended guidelines for the design and reporting of yoga interventions to improve study quality and rigour.

Detriments of a Self-Sacrificing Nursing Culture on Recruitment and Retention: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.

AIM: To investigate the presence and impact of self-sacrifice within the nursing profession. BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests the existence of a culture of self-sacrifice within nursing, but its potential detriments to the profession have not been explored. DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive approach was used. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 practicing nurses to explore the existence and potential implications of a self-sacrificing culture within nursing. RESULTS: All participants reported self-sacrifice within the nursing profession as the result of the prevailing stereotypical image of the "ideal nurse," leading to job dissatisfaction, presenteeism, and burnout. Younger nurses reported being less willing to self-sacrifice and consequently felt unsupported by management and senior staff, resulting in job dissatisfaction and intent to leave their job. CONCLUSION: A culture of self-sacrifice within the nursing profession may lead to job dissatisfaction, presenteeism, burnout, and retention problems, especially for younger nurses. A self-sacrificing image of nursing may also deter potential recruits from exploring a career in the profession.