Date on Honors Thesis

5-2026

Major

Nursing

Examining Committee Member

Dr. Tonia Mailow

Examining Committee Member

Dr. Amelia Dodd

Abstract/Description

Working in healthcare settings that require patient handling is physically demanding - over 80% of providers involved in patient handling report work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Injuries or exacerbation of a previous injury may occur if the individual cannot tolerate heavy workloads. Injuries that cause lost work time or work restrictions impact the healthcare team, may alter quality of life, and impact employee income. A practical way to minimize these effects is to prevent WMSDs. Training providers to use proper body mechanics, practice patient handling, and engage in regular exercise designed to increase muscular strength and endurance through resistance training improves tissue tolerance to loads. Graded exposure to resistance training builds muscle strength and mass, increases bone density, and improves the overall functioning of the body. The education of future healthcare providers is essential to improving their knowledge base and ultimately reducing the risk of injury. Nursing students enrolled in a basic skills course were provided with information about injury risks linked to patient handling, appropriate handling techniques, and the importance of exercise. A hands-on training lab was implemented to develop essential skills related to patient handling. The nursing students were then given a pre- and post-test survey to assess their knowledge and the effectiveness of the intervention through education. The results of these tests were compared, and showed that participants had an improvement in scores of approximately 15.5 percentage points, or about two more questions answered correctly after education.

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