Date of Conferral

2017

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Marilyn Murphy

Abstract

Obesity is a pandemic that directly affects chronic health problems and mortality. Researchers have shown that more than 54% of nurses are obese. The increasing rate of obesity among nurses and the long hours they work make healthy lifestyles, including daily physical activity, difficult. Tracking daily activity using a pedometer or fitness application has shown improved awareness and sustainability of daily physical activity. This project was an investigation of the daily steps of bedside nurses working a 12-hour shift, and their subsequent awareness of their daily physical activity. Pender's Health Promotion Model was used to consider motivating factors for improving daily physical activity. Thirty-seven nurses were recruited to use a pedometer application for 24 hours on a (12-hour) workday to track their steps for 3 consecutive days, as well as complete a final survey. A repeated measures ANOVA, with a Greenhouse-Geisser correction, determined that there was no statistical difference in the number of steps over the 3 time periods. Seventy-eight percent of the participants indicated that the project increased their awareness of physical activity. Extended research is needed to add a stronger support for the affect of wearing a pedometer and the benefits of increased awareness on health promotion. Pender's health promotion model suggests adding motivating factors such as competition. Fitness trackers now have this function and could play a large role in improving physical activity awareness and the battle of obesity for nurses and the general population. The results of this study may promote positive social change by making nurses more aware of the importance of their health and physical activity, given their long work days.

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