How nurses can avoid injuries in the workplace

Physicians only make up a small part of the industry’s workforce; in Minnesota and across the country, the health care sector is mostly comprised of nurses. Considering their importance, nurses should strive to maintain good health and avoid workplace injuries.

Things nurses can do to prevent injuries

Although needlestick injuries rarely transfer blood-borne diseases, nurses should never take their chances with poor syringe handling. Solid workplace injury prevention programs, the best way to prevent needlestick injuries, should regularly remind nurses how to properly handle syringes.

Musculoskeletal injuries are common among nurses, and these problems typically result from poor patient handling. There’s nothing wrong with requesting extra help before attempting to move patients around, which is what nurses should always do before moving patients.

High stress levels increase the injury risks across the board. Turning down overtime hours when feeling overworked is a must for nurses.

Understaffing also leads to all-around injury increases. Nurses should attempt to build alliances of fellow nurses in their workplaces for additional leverage. This leverage can give nurses the power to demand additional staffing, in turn preventing injuries.

What happens if you get injured?

As with every other profession, nurses can make mistakes. However, hospitals, private practices and other employers can also fail to keep their nurses safe.

Although nurses often report feeling overworked and underappreciated, many nurses love their jobs. Even after major workplace accidents, they don’t want to burn bridges with the employers who caused or contributed to their injuries. This can prevent injured nurses from receiving the compensation they deserve.

Nurses who have suffered workplace injuries may be able to hold their employers accountable by filing personal injury lawsuits. Depending on the outcome, plaintiffs might receive compensation for their medical expenses as well as lost wages due to recovery.

Workplace injuries can leave you feeling anxious about paying medical bills and retaining your job. Consulting an attorney might be the best move any employee can make after suffering an injury that requires medical attention.