Florence Nightingale, a pioneer in nursing, emphasized the necessity of personal health and self-care to prevent illness and promote wellness [1]. She believed self-care was essential for nurses to provide quality patient care, a relevant principle today. Nurses often face numerous challenges undermining their health and wellness, such as family responsibilities, demanding work schedules, and burnout [2]. Research has linked poor health behaviors, particularly insufficient physical activity, to increased risks of chronic diseases, making self-care even more crucial [3].

Despite possessing knowledge of prevention strategies and understanding the benefits of physical activity, many nurses do not follow these recommendations. This contributes to the increased prevalence of hypertension, obesity, and related health conditions within the nursing profession [4,5]. As noted, common barriers include time constraints, stress, and fatigue, making it challenging for nurses to engage in regular self-care, including physical activity [6]. These challenges not only affect nurses' health but can also impact the quality of care they provide.

Nurses, as health promoters, play a crucial role in influencing patients to adopt healthy behaviors. Those who maintain healthy lifestyles are more likely to inspire patients to follow suit, thereby demonstrating the significant impact of nurses on health promotion [7,8]. Conversely, patients may be less inclined to trust health advice from nurses who do not practice these behaviors themselves [9,10]. Thus, nurses should prioritize their health to effectively serve as role models, reinforcing the connection between their personal habits and patient outcomes.

Nurses face unique challenges that place them at increased risk for chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Long shifts, high stress levels, and the physical demands of patient care often lead to poor health practices, such as insufficient physical activity, inadequate sleep, and unhealthy dietary habits [14]. Studies highlight that nurses experience higher rates of obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia compared with the general population [15,16].

Emerging research suggests that a proper understanding of personal risk is essential for engaging in preventive health behaviors. Research indicates that nurses who assess their risk are likely to adopt health-promoting practices [12]. Unfortunately, many underestimate their vulnerability, leading to complacency and a reluctance to implement lifestyle changes [18]. Misplaced optimism, whereby nurses perceive their risk to be lower than it is, can impede motivation for self-care [19].

However, nurses frequently encounter obstacles in maintaining healthy behaviors, particularly sustaining regular physical activity. Challenges such as fatigue, heavy workloads, and lack of time due to extended shifts often hinder their ability to engage in recommended exercise routines [21]. Addressing these barriers through targeted professional development and wellness initiatives can empower nurses to enhance their health and better support their patients.

To provide high-quality, evidence-based care, nurses should prioritize ongoing professional development. Nurses are expected to stay informed on evidence-based recommendations for disease prevention and health promotion [13]. This requires support from unit managers and hospital administrators, who are critical in fostering a culture that encourages continuous learning and professional growth [5,22].

The Health Belief Model (HBM) offers a useful framework for understanding the health behaviors of nurses, particularly those related to physical activity [25]. The model suggests that an individual's perception of their disease risk, the severity of the condition, and the perceived benefits and barriers to behavior change all shape their actions [26]. Nurses' perceptions of their health risks can influence their willingness to engage in physical activity and counsel patients on similar behaviors [12]. By recognizing these factors, healthcare institutions can design initiatives that better support nurses adopting healthy lifestyles, enhancing their well-being and patient care quality.

Leadership and peer support play critical roles in promoting wellness. Appointing wellness champions within the nursing staff can create role models for healthy behaviors, while active management involvement demonstrates the organization's commitment to employee well-being [7]. Ensuring flexibility and accessibility is also important. Wellness activities should be adaptable to the shift schedules of healthcare staff, allowing participation regardless of working hours [26].

A cross-sectional study explored cardiovascular nurses' self-perceived cardiovascular risk factors, attitudes, perceived barriers toward physical activity, and their practices in promoting a healthy lifestyle by recommending physical activity to patients [30]. A convenience sample of full-time, part-time, and PRN nurses working consistently in U.S. cardiovascular units was recruited. Using validated instruments, data were collected via an online survey that assessed demographics, self-perceived CVD risk, physical activity habits, and health promotion practices.

Results revealed that a significant portion of the nurses in this case study (74.2%) had low self-perceived CVD risk, while 25.8% had higher risk scores. Most nurses (87.1%) fell below recommended physical activity levels, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to promote exercise within the nursing community. The study found that nurses with higher CVD knowledge scores were three times more likely to recommend exercise to patients. These findings indicate that enhancing nurses' CVD knowledge and addressing skill-related barriers may support greater health promotion practices.