A new survey from the American Nurses Association (ANA) finds that 55 percent of U.S. nurses believe their work environment jeopardizes their personal safety, a concern that experts say could drive nurses to leave the profession, Occupational Hazards reports.
Based on responses from approximately 700 nurses, the 2008 Study of Nurses' Views on Workplace Safety and Needlestick Injuries indicates that 64 percent of U.S. nurses have experienced an accidental needlestick injury while working during their career. Among those who reported experiencing needlestick injuries, 75 percent said the incidents were associated with the use of standard, non-safety syringes, even though 97 percent of respondents indicated that safety syringes were available in their facility and 75 percent were provided training on needlestick prevention.
Meanwhile, respondents overwhelmingly pointed to increasing workloads and workplace stress levels as factors in workplace safety, and nearly 60 percent of nurses indicated that mounting pressures have forced them to work faster, even if shortcuts were required. According to the report, 87 percent of nurses also said that perceptions of safety in the workplace influenced the type of nursing they practice and their continued practice in the field. In terms of improving working conditions, 68 percent of nurses reported advocating for safety in the workplace, with 29 percent reporting that they are their own primary advocate.
Commenting on the findings, the researchers note that "to enhance the safety climate of all health care workers, improvements need to be made to the workplace environment and staffing levels." (Walter, Occupational Hazards, 6/28/08; ANA release, 6/24/08)
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Cleaarly safety is a concern. Protecting ourselves from needle sticks, and those risks to patients have always been considered, with appropriate changes made, in my place of employment.
Unfortunateltely protecting nurses from the risk of violent patients has not been taken seriously. Here we are in 2008, with a dangerously changing society. I seriously doubt that my particular hospital administration is even remotely aware of the fact that NURSES are statistically only second, to police officers, as victims of assault.
While new training to staff has become available, it is unfortunately considered low priority, and an inept amount of attention has been paid to this paramount problem! Shame on them! I happen to be a nurse willing to take the risks required of me to help others. I happen to feel no appreciation, except from my own conscience, for such effort to do so. Instead I am involved in a situation where I have recieved NO support from the very institution that I have provided nearly 22years of dedicated and acceptional service, with never a complaint, but instead numerous thank yous. Myself and 3 other seasoned ICU Nurses, with a combined service of over seventy years to TWH, never a single complaint, are now accused of being unprofessional, "among other things". We questioned the appropriateness of a particular admission, of an Emergenty Certified Psychiatric Patient expected to be admitted on our ICU, already challenged with several other critically ill patients. An unlocked unit with 3 nurses and a secretary on duty, no MDs, PAs, NPs, Techs, or otherwise. Located in the corner of a building, with no plan in pace for a "Code Grey" other than having some MEN show up... (from maintainence, hskpg, etc)...
Two of the four nurses epected to be there,were already victims of violent assalt by a patient in the recent past. We made this known. We expressed concerns, we offerred Solutions. When we were told we had no choice but to accept the patient. WE DID!!~~!!
We are now accused of Unproffessional Conduct, interfering with the plan of care for this patient, among other things. Not a simple disipline, but also a 2 page report made to our NLB, with serious potential detrement to our actual proffessional character.
The patient was cared for despite our concerns. We never refused, but instead carried out the task assigned, because we had no choice but to do so. It was later decided that we were out of line objecting to this prticular admission, and we are now being told we represented unprofessional conduct, despite our clear professionalism./ Shame on them!!@!
Look forward to your input...
Shannon
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