Determination of the Professional Risk Factors of the Nurses Working in Two Different Hospitals

Purpose: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted to determine the professional risk factors of the nurses working at Muğla State Hospital and Hacettepe University Hospital.

Method: This study was carried out between January 1 and March 23 with the nurses (n=185) who volunteered to participate in this study and who are working at the İntensive Care Units of Muğla State Hospital (n=95) and Hacettepe University Hospital (n=90). The data were collected through “Descriptive Information Form” and 22-item form to determine the occupational risks.

Results: According to the findings of the study, it can be seen that 18.9 %of the participants from Muğla State Hospital are graduates of a four year-university program, the ratio of those who have had a training about professional risks is 75.8%, the ratio of the nurses taking precautions against the risks of working in an emergency unit is 100%(n=41). The number of the nurses using gloves while handling with blood and body fluids was found to be 79 (83.2%), and the number of the nurses taking personal precautions against risks while working in the emergency unit was found to be 46 (85.2%). 98.9%of the participants from Hacettepe University are university graduates, the ratio of the nurses having a training about profession-related risks was found to be 100%, the number of the nurses taking personal precautions against risks while working in the emergency unit was found to be 60 (100%), the number of the nurses using gloves while handling with blood and body fluids was found to be 60 (100%), and the number of the nurses taking personal precautions against risks while working in a unit of the University Hospital was found to be 30 (100%).

Conclusion: Risk factors faced by nurses in the workplace, in order of priority are examined, and intensive care unit staff in institutions and service workers were found to vary between.