Many nurses pursue their line of work because it means they get to help people daily. Their efforts help community members recover from their illnesses and injuries.
Working as a nurse, however, has its inherent dangers. Nurses need to be aware of the dangers in their field of work and understand what to do if they are injured on the job. Here are a few common dangers for nurses:
1. Needlestick injuries
Nurses often have to use needles to draw blood or inject medicine. Nurses have to be very careful when they use needles on patients. If a nurse is punctured by a needle used on a patient, they could be exposed to infections or contract serious diseases, such as immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
2. Exposure to dangerous chemicals
Hospitals are often stocked with hazardous chemicals that are used for specific medical procedures, such as disinfectants, formaldehyde or anesthetic gasses. If a nurse is exposed to these dangerous chemicals, they could experience side effects. These side effects can also lead to long-term disabilities.
3. Patient violence
Some patients are not easy to work with. These patients may become violent with nurses, exposing them to serious injuries. If a patient becomes violent, a nurse could suffer from traumatic head and spine injuries.
4. Exhaustion
Many hospitals and health facilities are short-staffed. As a result, many nurses have to work lots of overtime and late shifts. Constantly working overtime can put physical and psychological pressure on nurses. Nurses could experience a lack of sleep, exhaustion and repetitive strain, which can lead to long-term injuries.
Injured nurses may be eligible for workers’ compensation for their workplace injuries. Workers’ comp can provide nurses with medical coverage and lost wage compensation for their injuries.