Topic: in Support of Education for Nursing Students to Improve Ergonomics in the Workplace

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Resolution # 2

TOPIC: IN SUPPORT OF EDUCATION FOR NURSING STUDENTS TO IMPROVE ERGONOMICS IN THE WORKPLACE

SUBMITTED BY: Grand View University

AUTHORS: Logan Johnson, Emily Kenkel, Randi McCormick, Chad Moore, Tyler ` Stover

WHEREAS, In 2004 deCastro noted that “Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are the leading occupational health problem plaguing the nursing workforce”, and

WHEREAS, Nearly a decade later, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012) continues to report that the non-fatal injuries and illnesses faced by healthcare workers is the highest rate of any industry sector, and

WHEREAS, “Many of the injuries sustained by nurses in the process of giving care result in their being unable to continue to practice. Not only is the personal cost high, but the organizational costs are also high, with workers’ compensation claims estimated to range from an average of $25,450 to $38,280 per injury” (Stichler & Feiler, 2011, p. 49); and

WHEREAS, “Historically, patient handling injury reduction strategies have been based on tradition and personal experience rather than scientific evidence” (Nelson, et al., 2006, p. 719); and

WHERAS “Nurses tend to practice what they learned in school” (Nelson & Baptiste, 2004), and

WHEREAS, “Faculty play an important role in promoting evidence-based practice for safe patient handling by linking curriculum change to improvements in the clinical agencies affiliated with their nursing programs” (Powell-Cope, Hughes, Sedlak, & Nelson, 2008, p. 9); and

WHEREAS The American Nurses Association launched ‘Handle with Care”, a safe patient handling and mobility campaign over ten years ago, and

WHEREAS The National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) in 2005 adopted the Iowa Association of Nursing Students resolution “In support of the American Nurses Association “Handle with Care campaign” and reaffirmed that resolution in 2006 by adopting “In support of integrating the “Handle with care safe patient lifting campaign into nursing curricula” therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Iowa Association of Nursing Students (IANS) support nursing programs in the implementation of educating their student population on ways to identify and improve ergonomics throughout their nursing curriculum; and be it further

RESOLVED, that IANS support increased awareness of research and efforts to improve ergonomics and efficiency in the workplace for nursing students and practicing nurses; and be it further

RESOLVED, that IANS encourage its members to collaborate within coalitions to increase research and education related to safe patient handling techniques and appropriate workplace design using engineering controls and equipment; and be it further

RESOLVED, that IANS publish articles on the IANS website if feasible, and offer a breakout sessions at the annual convention supporting education on safe patient handling if feasible; and be it further resolved

RESOLVED, that IANS send a copy of this resolution to the Iowa Nurses’

Association, the Iowa Association of Colleges of Nursing, the Iowa League for Nursing, the Iowa Organization for Associate Degree Nursing, the Iowa Hospital Association, and all others deemed appropriate by the IANS Board of Directors.