TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................1
2.NURSING SAFETY.....................................................................................................................2
2.1.Risks Associated With Long Work Hours.................................................................................2
2.1.1.Coping Strategies....................................................................................................................2
2.2.Musculoskeletal Injuries............................................................................................................3
2.2.1.Physical/postural risk factors and MSD..................................................................................3
2.2.2.Interventions for MSD............................................................................................................4
2.3.Needlesticks...............................................................................................................................4
2.4.Chemical Occupational Exposures............................................................................................5
2.5.Medications................................................................................................................................5
2.6.Mental Health Effects of Nursing Work....................................................................................5
2.6.1.Interventions...........................................................................................................................6
2.7.Preventative measures that can be taken....................................................................................6
2.7.1.General safe work practices....................................................................................................7
3.CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................................9
BIBLIOGRAPHY.........................................................................................................................10
ABSTRACT
The safety of nurses from workplace-induced injuries and illnesses is important to nurses
themselves as well as to the patients they serve. The presence of healthy and well-rested nurses is
critical to providing vigilant monitoring, empathic patient care, and vigorous advocacy. Many
workplace stressors that can produce diseases and injuries are present in nursing work
environments.
The hazards of nursing work can impair health both acutely and in the long term. These
health outcomes include musculoskeletal injuries/disorders, other injuries, infections, changes in
mental health, and in the longer term, cardiovascular, metabolic, and neoplastic diseases. In this
chapter we will present major research findings that link common work stressors and hazards to
selected health outcomes.
TECHNICAL TERMS
•
Nurse- (the title given to) a person whose job is to care for people who are ill or
injured, especially in a hospital.
•
Safety-a state in which or a place where you are safe and not in danger or at risk.
2. NURSING SAFETY
The hazards of nursing work can impair health both acutely and in the long term. These
health outcomes include musculoskeletal injuries/disorders, other injuries, infections, changes in
mental health, and in the longer term, cardiovascular, metabolic, and neoplastic diseases. In this
chapter we will present major research findings that link common work stressors and hazards to
selected health outcomes.
These stressors include aspects of the way work is organized in nursing (e.g., shift work, long
hours, and overtime) and psychological job demands, such as work pace
2.1.
Risks Associated With Long Work Hours
Determining the number of work hours critically associated with risk for a specific job would
require examining how extended hours interact with other factors contributing to fatigue, such as
work load, competing responsibilities, and opportunities for rest and recovery. Additional
information on the effect of long work hours can be found elsewhere in this book(1).
2.1.1. Coping Strategies
Efforts to promote adaptation to (or ease the difficulties of coping with) shift work and long
work hours include strategies for employers and strategies for workers. Most suggestions to date
were written for shift work, but they may also be relevant for long work hours. A sampling of
strategies suggested in the literature for shift work include designing new work schedules and
rest breaks during work, altering circadian rhythms with bright light or blue light, optimally
timing physical activity or other work demands, improving physical conditioning, using caffeine,
planning dietary regimens, stress reduction, support groups, and family counseling.
Taking naps during work is another intervention that has been associated with improvements
in alertness and is an accepted practice in some Asian countries. More research is needed to
determine the optimum length and timing of the nap and a practical environment at work to take
a nap. Empirical evaluations and applications of the other techniques have begun and will be
useful for some workers, but more research is needed to develop strategies that can be easily
applied by workers in a wide range of demanding work schedule situations.
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