Physical fitness in pre-registration nursing students

Abstract

Nurses are ideally placed to deliver health promotion interventions, including physical fitness, however evidence suggests that nurses themselves are failing to engage in healthy lifestyles; this in turn making them less likely to promote health. It would appear that some nurses are allowing their own values, beliefs and behaviours to hinder this role. We propose these nurses are in breach of the Nursing and Midwifery (NMC) code. Currently nurses self declare their fitness to practice through the NMC, however self-monitoring has been criticized for its lack of reliability. Recruitment of student nurses in the UK does not currently assess physical fitness levels in line with other professionals such as the armed forces, police or fire service. Over half the nursing workforce is now overweight or obese, with alarming levels of inactivity. Physical activity positively correlates with motivation, wellbeing, coping and positive attitude. These attributes in turn impact on employability, retention and absence. This article explores promoting health, focussing on physical activity and discusses innovative ideas to promote physical activity within the nursing Curricula.

Keywords: Physical fitness; Professionalism; Student nurses.