Introduction In 2014 a CROWN (Croatia, Workability, Nurses) study was conducted in Croatian nurses employed in clinical hospitals to determine general health status, physical and psychosocial health of nurses, prevalence and distribution of hand eczema and musculoskeletal symptoms and their influence on daily functioning. Data for musculoskeletal complaints and daily functioning with nurses employed in child and adult care will be shown.

Methods A Nordic standardised questionnaire for evaluation of musculoskeletal complaints accompanied with Lickert scale for self-evaluation of complaints and a Disability of arm, shoulder and hands (DASH) questionnaire for daily functioning, were used for this part of research in 115 nurses from three large clinical hospitals for children and two large clinical centres for adults. In both groups, the analysis of musculoskeletal pain (sites, frequency) and daily functioning will be compared to duration of work experience, number of patients, patients’ weight and nurses’ general health.

Results The prevalence rate of musculoskeletal complaints among our cohorts of nurses was 95% in child care, and 98,6% in adult care. Lower back pain and neck pain were the most frequent complaints in both groups. Lower back pain had the highest influence on daily functioning. Other co-morbidity and problems in daily functioning in both groups will be shown.

Conclusion The prevalence rate for musculoskeletal complaints in this study was very high, higher then reported in similar other studies. That has confirmed the great need for analysing reasons for such a high prevalence of complaints, and taking actions which will reduce their contributing factors and influence on daily functioning. Although the nurses are highly aware of this problem a need exists for formal training in ergonomics, maintenance of adequate posture and taking micro-breaks in reducing WRMDs.