Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention for New Nurses

Nurses continue to sustain musculoskeletal injuries even with increased emphasis on safe patient handling and mobility (SPHM) and organizational cultures of safety to protect health care workers. Analysis of data from 2011-2014 registered nurse graduates explored hospital safety culture, SPHM education/training, and incidence of new-nurse musculoskeletal injury. Results indicated hospitals provided some type of SPHM education and training, but 46% of study participants were not informed or aware of national SPHM standards or guidelines. Merely 13.9% of participants stated a written "no manual lifting policy" had been implemented; only 32.9% indicated staffing was adequate for SPHM tasks; and only 39.4% stated the hospital had all of the equipment needed to perform SPHM safely. Thirty-nine percent of participants had already sustained a musculoskeletal injury with an additional 35% sustaining but not reporting an injury. More actions are needed to ensure a decrease in musculoskeletal injuries for new nurses.