A New Look at Nursing Safety: The Development and Use of JHAs in the Emergency Department

摘要

Nationally, a critical nursing shortage looms. In addition to the fact that nurses are increasingly inrnshort supply, the aging of the nursing profession combines to present a daunting challenge to thernhealthcare field. Exactly why students may not be choosing the nursing profession in adequaternnumbers is not known. However, several factors inherent to nursing are suspected. For example,rnthe strong likelihood of experiencing severe occupational injuries (i.e., back injury) or illnessesrn(i.e., occupational stress, or some blood borne pathogen) or workplace violence, which nurses facerndaily, are arguably primary motivators for nurses to leave the profession, thus adding to thernshortage. Presumably, the safety of nurses themselves and subsequently, that of their patients,rndepend directly on the degree to which nurses can identify and control the varied occupationalrnhazards specific to jobs. This study reviews the nature and scope of occupational nursing hazardsrnand the degree to which current nursing education and position descriptions equip nurses tornrecognize and abate the hazards inherent in their jobs. Further, it will present a research design thatrnaddresses the lack of formal training nurses currently receive regarding job-related hazardrnrecognition and avoidance strategies.