Are new nurses more likely to have injuries?

Nurses are an essential part of keeping people healthy. However, nursing can also be a dangerous occupation.

In addition to being exposed to illnesses, being a nurse places many physical demands on your body that can lead to injury. Since taking time off while working in healthcare can be challenging, minor injuries often compound over time, making it difficult to maintain a career as a nurse.

Here’s what you should know about the injuries new nurses experience compared to their more experienced coworkers.

On-the-job experience

While working as a registered or licensed nurse requires a certain amount of formal schooling, you learn many aspects of the job while working. You depend on others around you to teach you how to perform many different tasks when you are in a new work environment.

In some cases, these situations can lead to learning techniques that lead to injuries later in your career.

Ages 45-54 are most at risk

According to a study by the U. S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 27% of the occupational injuries suffered by nurses were those in the 45-54 age range. While those in the 55-64 age range tended to miss more work, those in the younger bracket had a more significant percentage of injuries.

As a nurse, there are many potential hazards in the workplace, including overextension injuries and exposure to harmful substances. It is essential to stay up to date on policies and procedures so that you can stay safe at work.