Introduction. The strained pose of the body during work and lifting weights exceeding allowable standards cause an overload of the human motor system and lead to complex microtraumas. When continued, this results in spondylosis and painful disorders. Aim. The aim of this paper was to investigate whether nurses know the rules of the ergonomics, whether working conditions allow their practical implementation, what the influence of work on their health is, whether their pain originated from the motor system and how they deal with it. Material and methods. The survey was conducted in two municipal hospitals among 100 nurses working in internal medicine and neurological wards. The method chosen for research was a questionnaire. Results. 60% of respondents rated their job as hard, very hard 28%, moderately aggravating 10%, only 2% evaluated it as easy. 79% thought that over time the work is becoming more and more aggravating physically, 13%, that working conditions have not changed for years, and for 8% it is getting easier. When asked about the facilities useful in moving patients, 29% answered that they have, 69% do not have such equipment, and 2% did not specify. Conclusions. Nurses do not have sufficient knowledge of ergonomics and do not apply their principles, they don’t rest or exercise properly, at work they use footwear overloading spine, appropriate equipment for lifting and transferring patients is not available to them and that they take care of excessive number patients on duty. Nurses are seldom consulted by specialists and take sick-leave.

Key words: ergonomics, nurse, back pain.