Common hazards nurses face on the job

As a nurse in Colorado, you probably find your job to be rewarding and challenging as well as busy and hectic at times. It can give you a great deal of satisfaction to help others and make a difference in the lives of your patients and their families. While you may love your job, you need to be aware of some of the challenges you face as a nurse that might impact your health or safety.

While there is normally some paperwork involved in your job, nursing is primarily a physical field. You are always lifting patients or equipment, bending and twisting, and walking miles during each shift. Additionally, your job can cause emotional stress and fatigue. These factors can combine to adversely affect your own health while you are working hard to improve the health of others.

The following are just a few of the stressful situations you might encounter as a nurse:

• Injuries to your back, neck or shoulders due to constant lifting and straining
• Physical assault by patients, family members or fellow staff
• Fatigue due to long working hours
• Emotional distress and anxiety caused by angry patients or bullying co-workers
• Risk of illness from contagious patients or exposure to blood, such as a needle stick

It is important you prioritize your own health so you can enjoy a good quality of life and be there for your patients. You might address your fatigue and emotional stress issues by taking time out for yourself, talking to your supervisor about adjusting your hours when doing so becomes necessary and seeking counseling if needed. If you are suffering from a work-related injury or illness, you will need to receive prompt medical attention to stay healthy. Additionally, you should be able to receive workers’ compensation for injuries you have sustained on the job.

Category:

• WORKERS' COMPENSATION