Ergonomics in Healthcare for Nursing Staff and Managers

This course provides an in-depth introduction to ergonomics in healthcare and its role in preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders among nurses, nursing assistants, and other healthcare personnel. It examines common injury risks in healthcare settings, high-risk tasks, and practical ergonomics principles that can be applied to patient handling and non-patient handling activities. The course also addresses organizational strategies and Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) programs that support long-term injury prevention.

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Describe at least three principles of ergonomics
• List ergonomics-related risk factors in patient handling and other professional tasks that do not include direct patient handling
• Define at least five essential elements of a Multicomponent Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Program
• Identify three nursing strategies to facilitate a Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Program 
• Locate resources available to assist in preventing Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Learning activities include videos, brief readings, and interactive application activities across multiple modules. Participants can complete the course at their own pace, within 30 days. The total estimated course time is approximately 5 hours.

Participants who complete all required course activities will receive a certificate of completion. This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the American Nurses Association Massachusetts, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Centers Commission on Accreditation (ANCC COA).