Summertime…and the living’s easy – Right? Well, maybe not so easy for nurses. They may not have to worry about slip-and-fall accidents on icy sidewalks but, as the weather heats up, so to several health hazards, for which nurses – especially ER nurses – must be prepared.
Summer typically means days at the beach, BBQs, and a daily schedule of outdoor activities. Fun, yes. But also, potentially dangerous. Newly mowed lawns look great but, before mowing, homeowners need to take a few precautions to avoid toes, hand or fingers being caught in whirring blades; rocks and sticks being flung out of mowers, and more. If you try to unclog a mower while the blade’s still spinning, you better hope the nurse you see is prepared to treat what could be a hideous injury.
Then there are boating accidents from falling overboard and/or getting cut by a propeller; serious sunburns that might lead to melanoma but could be prevented with sunscreens; picnic poisonings from un-refrigerated foods that send nearly 300,000 people to the hospital each year; and fireworks injuries. We start hearing the snaps, pops and booms well before the Fourth of July…and often after. Careless handling can cause significant hand and eye injuries.
There also are dangers we can’t directly control…but can take precautions to prevent. Things like using repellents to avoid bee and insect stings, staying well-hydrated to keep from getting overheated, and keeping an eye on the weather to avoid getting caught in wicked storms or…worse…being struck by lightning.
As a nurse and a front-line healthcare provider, you’ll likely see and treat all these injuries, and more. Knowing what’s likely to happen and being prepared to treat the various conditions is an important first step toward not being overloaded or confused by patient injuries during the summertime.
When an accident does happen…which they will…the injured party will expect their healthcare providers to know what they’re doing and provide quality care that enables them to fully recover. If you plan to be someone’s healthcare hero as a nurse, we applaud your dedication to doing good for your patients.
The best way to prepare is by learning all you can through an accredited nursing program. Fortis Colleges and Institutes are part of one of the largest nursing program networks in the country. They can help prepare you for the challenges you’ll face in the medical field. Start by visiting our Nursing program page and good luck on your path toward becoming a nursing professional!
