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3 common workplace injuries among nurses

On Behalf of | Jun 16, 2024 | Workplace Injuries

As a whole, nobody gets into nursing as a profession unless they’re caring and compassionate toward others and committed to their work – because it is not an easy job.

While nursing can be highly rewarding, nurses are actually at a very high risk of workplace injuries. Some of the most common include:

1. Overexertion injuries

These account for a whopping 46% of injuries within the nursing profession and usually involve some form of musculoskeletal damage. Commonly, these injuries are often to a nurse’s back, shoulders or neck, and they result from lifting, transferring and repositioning patients. Nurses can easily end up with acute or chronic back injuries, rotator cuff injuries or carpal tunnel syndrome.

2. Needlestick injuries

Nurses spend a lot of time dealing with bodily fluids, and they can be at serious risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens like HIV, hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and more. Despite safety features on needles and “sharps” containers, nurses can end up being stuck with a needle while doing injections, drawing blood or even during the disposal process.

3. Violence and assault

Unfortunately, nurses are often on the front lines of workplace violence. Patients in altered mental states or angry relatives of patients who aren’t doing well can sometimes become aggressive to hospital staff members, leading to physical or verbal assaults on nurses. These incidents not only cause physical injuries but also emotional trauma that can alter the course of a nurse’s whole career.

If you’re a nurse who has been injured while working, don’t guess about your options: Legal guidance can make it easier to understand your rights and assert your claim.