doea nursing cause health problems?

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jul 29, 2017

Nursing would probably be doable for you, as long as you get the anxiety under control. If you're not already doing so, please see a mental health professional for an evaluation and possible treatment; they are the best ones to advise you. Treatment can consist of medications, therapy, and a healthy lifestyle including diet and exercise.

I wish you the very best. Welcome to Allnurses!

TriciaJ, RN · Jul 29, 2017

Short answer: yes. Orthopedic injuries from lifting. Repetitive motion injuries. All manner of stress-related disorders. Working night shift is now considered a predisposing factor for cancer. But all of these things happen to people who aren't nurses, too. We can never be sure our ailments are nursing-related, but most of us strongly suspect.

Whatever path you take in life: start developing a healthy lifestyle now. It's your best bet no matter what.

roser13, ASN, RN · Jul 29, 2017

I keep hearing that being a nurse can cause health problems and I want to know what kind? Is there anything that can stop these problems from occurring?

Anxiety such as yours can be crippling. All professions can be detrimental to your health, whether physical or mental.

guest769224 · Jul 30, 2017

Working night shift is now considered a predisposing factor for cancer.

Wow. Mind sharing a source?

TriciaJ, RN · Jul 30, 2017

Wow. Mind sharing a source?

Can't cite a specific source at the moment. But I've read it more than once about breast cancer risks including shift work. I'll try to find one.

TriciaJ, RN · Jul 30, 2017

Cancer Research UK has an article (can't figure out how to forward the link) about how science has now changed its mind about shift work and cancer. So, never mind. Maybe it's not a risk after all.

caliotter3 · Jul 30, 2017

Can't cite a specific source at the moment. But I've read it more than once about breast cancer risks including shift work. I'll try to find one.

I recently saw this but don't recall the source. Doesn't change anything for those who have to work that shift, just like the results of other such 'studies'.

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 30, 2017

Wow. Mind sharing a source?

Here you go:

Medscape: Medscape Access

[Night shift work and cancer risk: a literature review]. - PubMed - NCBI (literature review - plenty of sources).

http://scholar.google.com/scholar_url?url=https://blog.lsgc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/05.-Blask-Melatonin-Cancer-Review.pdf&hl=en&sa=X&scisig=AAGBfm0py206C_i1KylpoNTwa-2PXjvLeA&nossl=1&oi=scholarr

Although I must wonder if for some people who just happen to be born as "owls", getting up at early morning at regular basis would produce the same, or more severe, effects.

kaylee. · Jul 30, 2017

Not sure how the OP's question demonstrates "crippling anxiety" as PPs mentioned.

Orthopedic injuries are a big risk factor in hospital work, which is why they make us take 'safe pt handling' class annually to try to reduce our risks to our bodies.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jul 30, 2017

Wow. Mind sharing a source?

I've read that too. The night shift trifecta -- obesity, diabetes and cancer. (My source is my oncologist, who may have read it somewhere or merely observed it.) Of course, as he goes on to say, aging can lead to obesity, diabetes and cancer. We all age.

DowntheRiver · Jul 31, 2017

Everything causes cancer these days. Heck, even my local drinking water has been found to have trace radioactive elements in it.

But to answer your question, orthopedic injuries - usually back. A bad back is going to take me off the floor much sooner than I've anticipated, unfortunately.