What are the physical and emotional risks associated with nursing?
Despite its rewards, nursing is not without its risks. Nurses often face physical challenges due to the nature of their work. They are required to lift and move patients, which can lead to musculoskeletal injuries. Long hours and shift work can result in fatigue, which may compromise their health and the quality of care provided.
Emotionally, nursing can be demanding. Dealing with critically ill patients, witnessing suffering, and facing death regularly can lead to emotional exhaustion and burnout. Nurses may also experience compassion fatigue, a form of secondary traumatic stress that occurs when they are unable to detach from the trauma experienced by their patients.