Job tasks – Nursing & Vet Nursing

1. Exercise Prescription (Fitness)Physical job demands & Vocational Exercise for Nurses & Vet Nurses

2. Job tasks – Nursing & Vet Nursing Medium-heavy physical demand Sits rarely. Stands & walks frequently to monitor/examine patients/work with animals, and to gather and use equipment and administer medications Lifting within light-heavy demand may be required when lifting or moving patients/animals Occasional bending, squatting, crouching, stretching, twisting and reaching may be required when carrying out nursing procedures or restraining animals Driving is unlikely, unless community nurse Occasional repetitive hand and finger movements when using computer or writing Mental activities necessary to have a high level of cognitive functioning with nursing & vet nursing

3. Work-Related Pain and Injury 30-79% prevalence of low back pain (LBP) 34-52% neck pain 24-52% shoulder pain 13-24 wrist and hand 34% knee Musculoskeletal disorders have a high prevalence in vet nurses (most commonly low back)

4. Common contributory factors Discomfort, pain and injury can be caused by a number of factors. The key to prevention is to deal with as many of these contributory factors as you can. Not having the right equipment Standing in one position for long periods of time Poor fitness and physical health Poor work organisationresulting in a lack of task variation or work breaks A lack of training and high-pressure workloads Working in an poorly laid out environment Understaffing Uncooperative patients/animals Hot, stuffy, possibly wet, environments Poor workplace relationships

5. Injury intervention strategies Injury Prevention Programme (ACC guidelines) Treating injury: What is pain? How to manage it? What causes pain? Education: Optimal occupational postures Lifting techniques Carrying techniques Patient transfer guidelines Exercise intervention: Aerobic exercise (fun, practical, pedometer) Range of motion Stretching (during work time & gym based exercises) Strengthening (core & postural muscles) Work hardening

6. What is pain? A term used to describe a broad range of conditions that can affect muscles and joints. Most of these conditions begin with discomfort, many can become painful, and some may progress to injury. Sometimes acute pain might show up after one event, such as bending to help someone out of bed. But it’s more likely the pain was caused by using a poor technique to move many patients over the years, without adequate breaks and with poor fitness, rather than that single time. That particular bend was just ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’. Someone can be also become prone to discomfort, pain and injury when they’re overtired and not paying enough attention to what they’re doing. This is when cuts, or slips, trips and falls are most likely. Healthcare work is demanding and it’s not uncommon to feel tired at the end of the day. But ordinary aches and pains usually disappear after a good night’s rest, while ongoing discomfort and pain can develop into an injury, and that can become a serious long termproblem.

7. Acute Low back pain Screening Questionnaire http://www.acc.co.nz/PRD_EXT_CSMP/groups/external_ip/documents/form/wcm002132.pdf • NZ patient handling guidelines http://www.acc.co.nz/PRD_EXT_CSMP/groups/external_ip/documents/guide/pi00212.pdf • Techniques for Safer Patient Handling http://www.acc.co.nz/PRD_EXT_CSMP/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=2714&dDocName=PI00294&allowInterrupt=1