Most Common Injuries Nurses Face on the Job

Nursing is a busy job. They work long hours. They walk, lift, and move all day. This can hurt their bodies.

Every year, more than 35,000 nurses in the U.S. get hurt while working. These are called workplace injuries. Most of these things happen while helping patients.

In this blog, you will learn about the most common nurse injuries. You will also learn how to stay safe. If you are taking nursing assistant programs in Illinois, this is good to know.

Why Nurses Are at Risk?

Nurses work hard every day. They help sick people. They stand, walk, and lift a lot. They move fast to help many patients. This can be tiring. It can also lead to mistakes or pain. That’s why nurses often get hurt on the job.

Some of the most common nurse injuries happen because nurses lift heavy patients. Others get hurt from slipping, bending too much, or using sharp tools. Nurses also feel stress, which can make accidents more likely. Being safe is very important for every nurse.

Most Common Nurse Injuries Explained

Nurses work with their hands, backs, and legs every day. They lift people, walk fast, and use sharp tools. These things can lead to injuries. Learning how the body moves can help prevent harm, which is why many students look for anatomy classes near me before starting nursing school. The leading causes of nursing injuries are listed below.

1. Back and Shoulder Injuries

Nurses often lift patients. This can hurt their back or shoulders. Sometimes it feels like a small pain. But it can get worse if they keep working without rest. Nurses need training to lift the right way.

2. Needle Injuries

Nurses use sharp needles. If they get poked by mistake, it can be dangerous. They could get sick from a patient’s blood. This is why nurses must be careful when using or throwing away needles.

Why Nurses Are Important to Society: South Wilmington & Verona, IL?

3. Slips and Falls

Hospitals can have wet floors. Nurses can slip or trip if the floor is messy or wet. This can hurt their legs or head. Good shoes and clean floors help prevent this.

4. Patient-Related Injuries

Sometimes patients get scared or upset. They may hit or push a nurse. This can cause bruises or even cuts. Nurses are taught how to stay calm and safe in these moments.

5. Hand and Wrist Injuries

Conclusion

Nurses write, type, and do the same task many times. This can hurt their hands or wrists. It may feel like a tingle or sharp pain. Stretching and breaks help prevent this.

Nurses help people every day. But they can get hurt if they are not careful. Knowing about the most common nurse injuries helps keep them safe.

If you want to become a nurse, good training is important. Many nursing schools in Chicago IL teach safety and care. Learning the right way keeps you and your patients safe.

Get Your Nursing Career Training Readiness Score Now!

FAQs

1. What is the most frequent injury among nurses?

The most common nurse injuries for LPNs are muscle and back injuries. These happen from lifting patients and working long hours, especially in nursing homes where injury risk is higher. Learning safe lifting in school can help prevent these injuries.

2. What is the biggest challenge for new nurses?

New nurses often feel nervous at first. They may struggle with time management and staying calm during busy shifts. Learning new tasks fast is hard. Talking to patients and families can also feel scary. Some may worry about making mistakes. These are normal struggles, and practice helps. Most common nurse injuries can also happen if they rush or don’t use good safety steps.

3 . How common are back injuries in healthcare workers?

Back injuries are very common among healthcare workers. Nurses lift and move patients every day. This can hurt their back over time. Experts say back pain is one of the most common nurse injuries. It happens more in nursing homes where help is needed more often.