The aim of our thesis was to find out what kind of patient handling skills the nurses who have passed an Ergonomic Patient Handling Card® Education have. Also, the aim was to define the nurses’ physical workload in patient transfers and to find out about the significance of the education for their practical work as they have experienced it. The purpose of this thesis was to produce information for the use of our commissioner and nursing personnel. Our purpose was also to expand our knowledge concerning patient transfer ergonomics. The ergonomy education is developed for better work and patient safety by improving the nurses’ risk assessment and patient transfer skills.

The method of our thesis was quantitative and qualitative. We measured transfer skills by using the SOPMAS-meter. Furthermore, we used open interview and a method for evaluation of the load of patient transfers. The target group consisted of five nurses aged between 25-50 years who had passed the Ergonomic Patient Handling Card® Education. We interviewed them and they performed three patient transfers which were recorded with video cameras for precise observation. The data from the interviews was analysed by using content analysis.

The results from this research showed that the transfer skills of nurses are on an average level. According to the interviews the nurses used new patient transfer techniques in their work. They experienced the education to have increased the planning of the patient transfer situations and the use of transfer aids. Furthermore, the education had helped to decrease their physical workload. The physical work load in patient transfers was reasonable and the situation of ergonomics was good in the performed patient transfers. In conclusion the nurses who had participated in the research and had passed the Ergonomic Patient Handling Card® Education appeared to have an appropriate workload and average patient transfer skills. Additionally, the education affected in their practical work positively.