ONS, ANA Partner Together for Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation Campaign

PITTSBURGH, PA—March, 30, 2017—The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) has signed on as a Premier Partner with the American Nurses Association (ANA) for the Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation wellness campaign. Through educational toolkits, interactive resources, nutrition assessments, physical activity recommendations, and public outreach, the Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation campaign aims to improve the health and lifestyle of nursing professionals—who, in turn, aim to improve the health of patients, family members, caregivers, and colleagues.   As the most trusted profession in the United States, nurses provide education and guidance for patients and their families as they journey through the continuum of care. Nurses have the unique opportunity to illustrate and encourage the benefits of healthy lifestyle choices by embodying them for their patients. With more than 3.6 million nurses working in the United States, each and every nurse could have a profound impact on the wellness of their patients, caregivers, family members, and the general public through a commitment to choosing nutritious foods, physical activity, stress management, smoking cessation, and much more. Nurses can act as role models for personal wellness and thereby improve the health and well-being of Americans everywhere.    The Healthy Nurse, Health Nation initiative is focusing on five areas that healthcare professionals and their institutions can improve: physical activity, nutrition, rest, quality of life, and safety. According to ANA research, nurses—on average—have lower levels of health than the average American. Nurses are more likely to be overweight, have elevated stress levels, and get less than the number of recommended hours of sleep. The demands of the healthcare industry can put a tremendous strain on nurses and can contribute to poorer overall health. ONS and ANA have decided it’s time to change that.    “ONS is excited to work with ANA for healthier nurses and a healthier nation,” Deborah Struth, MSN, RN, ONS research associate and Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation liaison, said. “Oncology nurses work in fast-paced, demanding clinical environments, and they understand the stress associated with cancer care. This can lead to nurses putting their own self-care aside. We’re encouraging all of our members to take up the challenge to improve their personal wellness. As the lifeline for many patients with cancer, healthy oncology nurses can focus on providing a high level of safe, quality care to all of their patients without a risk to their own well-being.”     More information about the Healthy Nurse, Health Nation campaign and ways healthcare professionals and their institutions can become involved is available at www.nursingworld.org/HealthyNurse-HealthyNation (http://www.nursingworld.org/HealthyNurse-HealthyNation).    ONS is a professional association of more than 39,000 members committed to promoting excellence in oncology nursing and the transformation of cancer care. Since 1975, ONS has provided a professional community for oncology nurses, developed evidence-based education programs and treatment information, and advocated for patient care, all in an effort to improve quality of life and outcomes for patients with cancer and their families. Learn more at www.ons.org (http://www.ons.org).   Contact: Aaron Borchert Aborchert@ONS.org  (mailto:Aborchert@ONS.org)