With some occupations, such as working in the construction industry, the injury risks are clear. Construction workers can fall from heights, be injured by power tools and much more.
But what about something like nursing? This seems like it would be a safer occupation with a lower risk of injury, but is that true? There are actually some serious risks that nurses face every single day, which could result in significant injuries. It’s important for nurses to understand what these are and what steps they should take if they are injured on the job.
Violence directed at nurses
One potential issue is that violence against nurses seems to be on the rise lately. In fact, some studies have determined that there are approximately two attacks each hour across the United States. Some nurses are attacked by patients, while others are attacked by visitors or family members.
There are unique reasons for all of these incidents, but it often comes down to the fact that people are in a very stressful and emotional situation. If they don’t feel that they or a loved one are getting the care that they want, they may lash out at innocent nurses simply because of their mental state at the time.
Injuries lifting patients
Another common cause of injuries for nurses is when they have to lift heavy patients. This could be an issue if a patient is at risk of developing bedsores, for instance, so a nurse has to help them shift position or get in and out of bed on their own. A big part of the reason for this risk is that hospitals are often understaffed, so one person may try to do a lift that should actually require two or more nurses working together.
No matter how nurses get injured on the job, it’s critical that they understand how to seek proper workers’ comp to cover lost wages, medical bills and more.