n Ce Activity: Self-Care as a Nurse’s right and responsibility

Thank you for your participation in “Self-Care as a Nurse’s Right and Responsibility,” a new continuing education (CE) activity offered by NYSNA. NYSNA members and nonmembers are invited to take part in this activity, and you do not need to be a resident of New York State.

Instructions

In order to receive the contact hour (CH) for this educational activity, participants are to read the article presented in this issue of The Journal, complete and return the post-test and evaluation form, and earn 80% or better on the post-test.

This activity is free to NYSNA members and $10 for nonmembers. Participants can pay by check (made payable to NYSNA) or credit card. The completed answer sheet and evaluation form may be mailed or faxed back to NYSNA; see the evaluation form for more information.

The New York State Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

This program has been awarded 1.0 contact hour through the New York State Nurses Association Accredited Provider Unit.

The New York State Nurses Association is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET continuing education credits (CEUs). The New York State Nurses Association is authorized by IACET to offer 0.1 CEU for this program.

In order to receive contact hours and CEUs, participants must read the entire article, fill out the evaluation, and get 80% or higher on the post-test. Presenters disclose no conflict of interest.

NYSNA wishes to disclose that no commercial support or sponsorship was received.

NYSNA Program Planners, Presenters, and Content Experts declare that they have no financial relationship with an ineligible company.

Declaration of Vested Interest: None.

Introduction

Working conditions traditionally known to cause stress, such as under staffing , pair with modern hazards, such as exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and electromagnetic radiation (EMR). These stressors increase nurses’ risks, for a host of undesirable social, emotional, and physical health consequences. These stressors challenge nurses to exercise rights within the Nurses Bill of Rights and fulfill professional responsibility. In its Nurses Bill of Rights and the Code of Ethics, the American Nurses Association emphasizes nurses’ rights and duties to practice self-care. Nurses must endeavor to mitigate overt as well as insidious workplace and household health hazards. The World Health Organization, Federal Communication Commission, and International Commission on Non-Ionization Radiation Protection recommend safety guidelines for EMF and EMR. Nurses lack knowledge of hazard sources at home and work and the potential health risks associated with them. Nurses are unaware that modifications to the ANA Code of

Ethics and Nurses Bill of Rights have changed their professional rights and added a duty to practice self-care. Through participation in this CE, nurses will gain awareness of professional expectations to meet stressors with “healthy habits” and self-care. This will enable nurses to meet an important professional obligation. In turn, those under the care of nurses would receive optimal quality and experience of nursing care.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will recognize workplace and household sources of stress. Participants will identify nurses’ rights and responsibilities to perform self-care.

Objectives

By completion of the article, the reader will be able to: a. True b. False a. True b. False a. True b. False a. True b. False a. True b. False a. True b. False a. True b. False a. True b. False a. True b. False a. True b. False

1. List items pertaining to nurse self-care within ANA’s guidelines for professionalism.

2. Identify traditional sources of occupational stressors for nurses.

3. Identify energy-related health hazards.

Please answer either True or False to the questions below. Remember to complete the answer sheet by putting the letter of your corresponding answer next to the question number. Each question has only one correct answer.

The 1.0 CH and 0.1 CEU for this program will be offered until June 1, 2026.

1) Lack of power, role ambiguity, and role conflict are role-based occupational stressors.

2) In hospitals, there is one source of electromagnetic field (EMF) and electromagnetic radiation (EMR).

3) Weak high-frequency electromagnetic fields can lead to excessive heating and tissue damage.

4) Cardiac monitors, wireless data, and mobile devices are sources of low EMF and EMR.

5) Targeted nutrition can reduce EMF and EMR sensitivity and enhance the body’s intrinsic protection against stress.

6) According to the ANA Nurses Bill of Rights, nurses have a right to a work environment that prioritizes and protects nurses’ well-being.

7) According to the ANA Code of Ethics, the nurse has a responsibility to promote personal health and safety, preserve wholeness of character and integrity, maintain competence, and continue professional growth.

8) Protecting patients’ rights and informed consent to treatment has been a long-standing occupational stressor for nurses.

9) EMR distresses the body’s cells and can trigger inflammatory responses.

10) Nurse leaders are responsible for fostering a balance of healthy diet, exercise, rest, and personal enrichment for nurses within their organization.