Workplace health and safety concerns of registered nurses

This session will summarize the results of the American Nurses Association's (ANA's) 2011 Health and Safety Survey. A total of 4,614 nurses responded to the survey, voicing their concerns about health and safety in their work environments. A similar survey was conducted in 2001; results of both surveys will be compared to assess progress made over a ten year period. Overall, nurses responding to the survey indicated that positive improvements have been made in recent years. Since 2001, more patient lifting and transfer devices are on hand; there has been a reduction in physical assaults, verbal abuse and threats; and safe needle devices are more widely available. Also, work schedules appear to be improving. The 2011 results indicate that fewer nurses are working more than 40 hours per week and mandatory or unplanned overtime. While progress has been made, issues still exist that threaten the well-being and safety of nurses. Nurses' top three concerns identified in the survey included: the effects of stress and overwork (74%); developing a disabling musculoskeletal injury (62%); and contracting an infectious diseases (43%). The presenter will identify interventions within the work environment that address the top identified health and safety concerns. An overview of related programming and resources from ANA, such as the new Interdisciplinary Safe Patient Handling and Mobility National Standards; the Safe Needles Save Lives campaign; and ANA's Principles for Nurse Staffing, will be provided.