5 common workplace injuries in the nursing industry in Minnesota

You dedicate your career to healing others, but your workplace isn’t always safe. As a nurse in Minnesota, you face unique risks every shift. Thus, understanding these hazards helps you protect yourself and know your rights if an injury occurs.

5 common workplace injuries to watch out for

While hospitals seem like safe environments, they present specific dangers for nursing staff. The nature of your work exposes you to hazards that other professions rarely encounter. Thus, here are the most common injuries you may face:

• Musculoskeletal injuries: Repetitive movements and awkward positions during patient care damage your muscles, tendons and ligaments.
• Back injuries: Lifting, transferring and repositioning patients places tremendous strain on your spine and supporting muscles.
• Needlestick and sharps injuries: Used needles and medical instruments can accidentally stick you and expose you to bloodborne pathogens and serious diseases.
• Infectious disease exposure: Working directly with sick patients increases your risk of contracting illnesses despite using protective equipment.
• Slips, trips and falls: Wet floors, cluttered hallways and fast-paced environments create conditions where you can easily slip and fall.

Any of these injuries can significantly impact your health and ability to continue working. Therefore, recognizing these risks is your first step toward prevention and protection.

What to do if you’ve been injured on the job

Even when you know the risks, you can still get injured. Additionally, you might want to treat yourself and continue working. However, you need to report your injury immediately. Documentation protects your rights and ensures you receive proper medical attention.

Notify your supervisor as soon as the injury occurs. Fill out all required incident reports completely. You may also want to seek medical evaluation even if the injury seems minor. These steps create an official record and open the door to potential benefits you can receive.

Caring for yourself at work matters too

Your calling drives you to care for others selflessly. Yet you deserve care when you get hurt on the job. You cannot pour from an empty cup and injuries can leave you physically and financially drained.

Fortunately, Minnesota law provides protections for injured workers. You may qualify for compensation to cover medical expenses and lost wages. Thus, knowing your rights and exploring your options helps you get the support you need. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish, it’s necessary so you can recover and return to the important work you do.