Factors Affecting Health and Safety of RNs Employed at the Bedside

Hospitals rank at the top for nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses (Department of Labor, BLS, 2005). RNs make up the largest percentage of the hospital workforce, accounting for one out of every four hospital workers. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of individual variables, workplace variables and job stress on the health and safety of RNs employed at the bedside in hospitals. A descriptive, correlational study using survey methodology was employed. Measures included individual characteristics, work place characteristics, job stress (Health Professions Stress Inventory), job related injuries and job related illnesses. Findings: 323 surveys were returned from RNs employed at three hospitals. The majority of respondents were female (91.6%) and Caucasian (81.4%) with a mean age of 40.15 (range 22-71, median 39). 24.8% had a job injury in the past two years and 22.4% reported a job related illness. Predictors of injury included: Job satisfaction (.015) and job stress score (.008). Predictors of job related illness included: age (<.001), years worked as a RN (<.001), job satisfaction (.001) quality of care provided (.004), and job stress score (.006). Study findings support the NIOSH Model of Job Stress which proposes that individual and workplace variables contribute to job stress which creates risk factors for job related injuries and illnesses. Interventions are necessary to control job stress if we are to decrease job related injuries and job related health problems in RNs.