The American journal of nursing
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Extended work schedules-those that vary from the standard eight hours per day, 35 to 40 hours per week-are common in nursing and contribute to problems with nursing recruitment and retention, in addition to compromising patient safety and the health and well-being of nurses. This study describes the nature and prevalence of such schedules across nursing settings. ⋯ The proportion of nurses who reported working schedules that exceed the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine should raise industry-wide concerns about fatigue and health risks to nurses as well as the safety of patients in their care.
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The health risks of overweight and obesity have been well documented. For example, even a 15-lb. weight gain increases a person's risk of diabetes by 50%. In turn, losing as little as 11 lbs. can reduce a person's risk of diabetes by the same percentage. Why, then, aren't more Americans losing weight? This article explores the rising incidence of overweight and obesity in the United States, the reasons so many people fail to lose weight or maintain a weight loss, and the potential for nurses to turn the tide on this epidemic.