Nursing can be a very rewarding career, but it's not without its challenges. Nurses often have to deal with long hours, stressful situations, and the risk of illness or injury. If you do suffer harm on the job, an attorney can assist with your workers' compensation claims. Let's take a look at the more common types of injuries nurses can suffer as a result of their work.

What Health Struggles Do Nurses Sometimes Face?

1. Muscle Strain

Because nurses often have to transfer and lift patients between beds, wheelchairs, toilets, and gurneys, they are at risk of getting muscle strain. These injuries typically occur in the shoulders, neck, and lower back. Sometimes, their leg and arm muscles may get strained or sprained as well.

2. Varicose Veins

Because of long days—and nights—on their feet, nurses are susceptible to varicose veins, which result from blood flowing the wrong direction. Varicose veins aren't just an aesthetic problem; they can increase the risk of developing dangerous blood clots. Wearing comprehension stockings on the job may help circulation and discourage the formation of varicose veins.

3. Needle Injuries

Nurses can get poked or cut by needles, scalpels, and other sharp objects on the job. Since they often contain bodily material, they can also inadvertently transmit hepatitis, HIV, and other bloodborne viruses and infections.

4. Spinal Issues

Due to all the lifting, bending, twisting, and reaching that nurses have to do on a daily basis, they often deal with back problems. Common issues may include ligament strain, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and compression fractures. Back issues can require you to take time off work; in some cases, you may require surgery. An attorney can help get compensation for medical bills and lost wages.

5. Broken Bones

Slip and fall injuries on the job can lead to fractures, among other things. Unfortunately, nurses sometimes also receive broken bones as a result of workplace assault. Because they are on the frontline with physically and mentally distressed patients, they are often the recipient of violent outbursts. If you've been the victim of an assault, on or off the job, call law enforcement and an attorney as soon as possible.

If you are an injured nurse who is looking for a personal injury attorney, turn to Salerno & Leavitt in Omaha, NE. Since 1992, these knowledgeable, dedicated lawyers have been serving clients throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, helping them seek recompense for their pain. Call (402) 502-9002 to schedule an appointment or visit their website to learn more about their practice areas.