Which CNA job would require the least lifting?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

I work for a big umbrella company that includes nursing homes, hospitals, clinics and psychiatric recovery centers. I work at one of their nursing homes, and initally loved my job. However, many of the CNA's have recently quit, and I am stuck with 20+ total cares, nealy all of whom use hoyer lifts. My back is killing me by the end of the day. I am looking to transfer to the hospital, as I hear that is easier.

Is hospital CNA work really easier on your back? What units could I move to that would be the least physically draining?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Long Term Care.

all i have ever heard is that hospital cna's have it easier. i work in LTC and know exactly what you are talking about. despite being a 'lift' hoyers take a lot of energy and it is so easy to throw out your back. my first experience in the hospital came this year in clinicals. the cna's work side by side with the nurses and there are lift teams for the big stuff. plus they arent getting everybody up, dressed and to the DR for meals. i read in a nursing journal that the average nurse lifts 2 tons in an 8 hour shift. from what i have seen, the cna's in LTC are probably exceeding that statement and those in hospitals don't even come close. i'm not sure about exactly what unit is best, but in my situation based on my hospital i would go with med surg. good luck with everything!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Your back is killing you because you are overloaded. I am sure of it. Otherwise, try yoga, pilates and calisthenics to strengthen your core muscles, back, belly and hips. Also exercise the legs since most all of your lifting should be done with the legs. Exercise proper body mechanics and creative visualisation. This is how I get through my day as a CNA rolling 250# fellas :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ALF, Medical, ER.

I worked in Assisted Living before I started at the hospital and let me tell you everyday I worked in AL I was sweating, in pain and just plain out exhausted at the end of my 8 hour shift. Now don't get me wrong here. Working at the hospital definately strains my back but not like AL did. I find that I am working in a team much more often than I was before. I guess its because it may be a 30 bed unit, however another pair of hands is never too far away. Whereas in AL, it was this big building with no real way to page for help so you were stuck doing whatever lifting you needed to do on your own. Plus the hospital has all these great lifting machines, maxi-slides etc to help us with our backs. In fact, our hospital is trying to go to a no lift policy now. We'll see how that works.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Must love paying worker's insurance! Also, I wonder how many of those hacks have ever had to roll 250 lbs of dead weight or get them out of bed or off the floor!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I worked as an aide for developmentally disabled adults in a group home, and it was fairly easy. I did not have to do very much lifting at all while working in the group home.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Try independent living. The only time you might lift there is if someone falls. You could also advance yourself. Become a staffing coordinator or some such.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.

I'm sorry but 20 patients a night is absolutely ridiculous.:madface:

I suggets finding a new job ASAP.

Take it from someone who has a bad back due to working with 10-14 patients over a period of 6 months. Some days I wake up and I can't move at all...

Take care of yourself first and foremost.

I'm a PCT at a Hospital and the workload is 10 patients and the Nurses help you to lift... we really don't lift b/c each room has a lift attached to the wall. I don't dread going to work like I did when I worked in a LTC facility....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Psychiatry and assisted living may not have the same physically challenging lifting. Hospitals can be a bit easier, but at times, you may have assignments where almost all of the patients are bedridden. The difference may be that you are not pulling them all out of bed at a certain time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I work for a big umbrella company that includes nursing homes, hospitals, clinics and psychiatric recovery centers. I work at one of their nursing homes, and initally loved my job. However, many of the CNA's have recently quit, and I am stuck with 20+ total cares, nealy all of whom use hoyer lifts. My back is killing me by the end of the day. I am looking to transfer to the hospital, as I hear that is easier.

Is hospital CNA work really easier on your back? What units could I move to that would be the least physically draining?

Mother/baby unit

NICU

L&D triage

Peds

FYI: PCU, Med/Surg, ICU, ED etc units are just a difficult not as much patients but you have more stuff to do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment