Designing and implementing exoskeleton devices for nurses with acute and chronic pain

Nursing is classified as a high-risk occupation due to significant physical demands and lack of ergonomic support. With age, nurses are increasingly likely to develop acute and/or chronic pain (ACP), exacerbating the nursing shortage. Nurses/nurse managers with ACP may benefit from exoskeletons tailored to their ergonomic needs. Our objective was to elicit the social and organizational factors important to exoskeleton design and implementation for nurses/nurse managers with ACP working in long-term care facilities. We conducted a thematic analysis of surveys and interview data of predominantly Black/African American nurses/nurse managers. Results highlighted potential social impacts on disabled patients being cared for by a nurse in an exoskeleton, exoskeleton training considerations for leaders of long-term care facilities, anticipated pressures to increase productivity due to exoskeleton use, and descriptions of nurses' (dis)comforts disclosing pain-related needs. Findings may guide ergonomists in balancing the work systems of nurses/managers with ACP using exoskeletons in long-term care.