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How To Reduce Nursing's Physical Strain

Nursing can be hazardous. There are infectious diseases, blood-borne pathogens, chemical exposures and workplace violence, not to mention the fact that caring for patients is just plain exhausting. How can you minimize the job’s physical demands? Susan Randolph, MSN, RN, president of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, offers some healthy reminders.

Recognize the Risks

You need to be aware of workplace hazards to avoid them. The rate of nurses who get hurt or sick on the job is twice that of workers in other industries. Nurses, nurse aides and orderlies have four-and-a-half times more back injuries and other musculoskeletal problems than private-industry workers, Randolph says.

Put Yourself First

Nurses and other front-line healthcare workers “aren’t as proactive as they should be” about preventing injuries, Randolph says. “In the healthcare setting, the focus is clearly on the patient and not the healthcare provider. Care providers don’t always think of themselves.” Taking care of yourself first benefits patients, because they suffer when care providers miss work due to illness or injury.

Use Proper Equipment and Techniques

In today’s fast-paced, short-staffed work environments, you may be tempted to take shortcuts when handling patients. But shortcuts lead to injuries, especially as the number of obese patients continues to rise, Randolph says. Always use the lifting and transfer devices available to you, and call for assistance when you need it. You risk injuring yourself and hurting a patient if you slip and fall.