Anyone in Kansas can get injured on the job. While nurses are typically the ones taking care of injured patients, they can get injured if they find themselves in a hazardous situation. Here are a few tips for nurses who want to stay safe on the job.
How can nurses stay safe during their shift?
It might sound like common sense, but washing your hands is one of the best ways that nurses can stay safe on the job. Nurses come in contact with blood and other bodily fluids as well as viruses, bacteria and infections. If you skip washing your hands even once, you might come down with a nasty illness. It’s important to wash your hands at every opportunity during your shift.
You should also ask for help whenever you need it. When you’re dealing with a crowded hospital, you might feel tempted to do everything yourself. But if you get injured and have to go on leave, your hospital will be even more backed up. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance if you’re carrying a heavy load or dealing with a potentially violent patient. It’s not worth risking your health.
Additionally, make sure that you’re up-to-date on all your vaccinations. As a nurse, you’ll be dealing with people with infectious diseases like chickenpox, stomach flu, mumps and other illnesses. Stay on top of your regular vaccinations so that you can stay healthy.
You should also keep an eye out for hazards on the floor. If you see a spill, a loose electrical cord, a piece of trash or anything else that could cause someone to slip and fall, pick it up or move it to the side. A slip and fall might sound like a minor injury, but it can actually cause serious injuries that leave you with no other choice but to file for workers’ compensation.
What if you get injured?
If you do get injured on the job, there’s a way to compensate for your lost wages. With the help of an attorney, you could file a workers’ compensation claim so that you could continue to get paid while you’re out on leave.