Start Healthy and Stay Healthy: A Mixed Methods Study of a Workplace Health Promotion Intervention for New Graduate Nurses

Abstract

Introduction

This study aimed to determine the feasibility of implementing the Start Healthy and Stay Healthy Intervention, which was embedded into a transition to practice program to assist new graduate nurses to establish healthy dietary and physical activity behaviours from career commencement.

Methods

The research employed a sequential mixed methods design, with quantitative data collected before qualitative data. The Start Healthy and Stay Healthy intervention, informed by the Behaviour Change Wheel, aimed to assist new graduate nurses working in one Australian Local Health District to establish healthy dietary and physical activity behaviours. It included face-to-face education sessions, the use of a fitness tracker and twice-weekly messages. Participants completed three online surveys: at orientation, six weeks and six months. A sub-sample participated in semi-structured interviews to explore their experience of the intervention.

Findings

The intervention was delivered from February to December 2019. Ninety-nine nurses completed the baseline survey, 62 at six weeks and 69 at six months. At six months, health knowledge had increased, shown by participants correctly identifying recommended amounts of fruits, vegetables and physical activity. Fruit consumption increased at six months, but there was little change to vegetable intake. Takeaway food consumption decreased, but consumption of some discretionary foods increased. An increase in participation in vigorous physical activity occurred, and in walking for periods longer than 10 minutes during leisure time, from baseline to six months. The interviews identified three themes: support of colleagues and peers, the work environment and engagement with Start Healthy and Stay Healthy. The findings from this study indicate that is feasible to embed a workplace health promotion intervention into a transition to practice program and that education sessions, messages and a Fitbit are acceptable means of supporting participation in healthy behaviours.

Conclusion

Providing a targeted intervention for new graduate nurses embedded into a transition to practice program improved their health knowledge, some dietary behaviours, and improvements to physical activity levels.