Nursing -A Profession at Risk for Musculoskeletal Disorders

A Profession at Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders - Facts

• Compared to other occupations, nursing personnel are among the highest at risk for musculoskeletal disorders. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists RNs sixth in a list of at-risk occupations for strains and sprains that included nursing personnel, with nurses aides, orderlies and attendants (first); truck drivers (second); laborers (third); stock handlers and baggers (seventh); and construction workers (eighth).
• Additional estimates for the year 2000 show that the incidence rate for back injuries involving lost work days was 181.6 per 10,000 full-time workers in nursing homes and 90.1 per 10,000 full-time workers in hospitals, whereas incidence rates were 98.4 for truck drivers, 70.0 for construction workers, 56.3 for miners, and 47.1 for agriculture workers.
• Lower back injuries are also the most costly musculoskeletal disorder affecting workers. Studies of back-related workers compensation claims reveal that nursing personnel have the highest claim rates of any occupation or industry.
• Research on the impact of musculoskeletal injuries among nurses:
  • 52 percent complain of chronic back pain;
  • 12 percent of nurses "leaving for good" because of back pain as main contributory factor;
  • 20% transferred to a different unit, position, or employment because of lower back pain, 12 percent considering leaving profession;
  • 38 percent suffered occupational-related back pain severe enough to require leave from work; and
  • 6 percent, 8 percent, and 11 percent of RNs reported even changing jobs for neck, shoulder and back problems, respectively.