Care-of-Self in Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Pilot Study

Poor management of care-of-self behaviors can contribute to job dissatisfaction, burnout, and attrition in nurses. This pilot study, designed to explore self-care among nursing students, was used to examine feasibility for a future long-term study. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The data suggest a downward trend of care-of-self behaviors as students assume more responsibility for care of others. Findings substantiate the need for development and implementation of care-of-self-promoting interventions in order to increase lifelong health-promoting behaviors.