Newly licensed nurses at greater risk of injury: study

New York – Newly licensed nurses are more likely than more experienced nurses to suffer sprains, strains and needlesticks, according to a study from New York University.

As part of the study, researchers analyzed more than 1,700 newly licensed registered nurses. Researchers found that nurses who worked overtime on a weekly basis were 32 percent more likely to sustain a needlestick injury, and those who worked night shifts were 16 percent more likely to have a sprain or strain injury.

“Even after controlling for other factors, we found that working overtime hours was associated with needlesticks and working night shifts was associated with sprain or strain injuries,” lead researcher Amy Witkoski Stimpfel said in a press release. “This suggests that more research is needed in this area to identify interventions that could reduce injury rates.”

The study was published online June 29 in the International Journal of Nursing Studies.