What Hurts the Most?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

Hi. I just finished my training and have been working as a CNA for almost two weeks now. I know that most CNAs say that their back hurts.. but for me, its my feet and legs. I'm kind of concerned since I'm always used to being on my feet and I'm pretty active and young (I'm 20 yrs old) to be having severe leg pain where I can barely stand anymore. I was wondering if this pain goes away or does anybody else experience it as well when they are first starting?

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Good job for you for taking on the job as a CNA!!! I experienced the same issues with sore feet and legs. I noticed a SIGNIFICANT change in the soreness of my feet when I bought a good pair of walking shoes by New Balance. They are great!!! I bought a 1/2 size larger than what I usually wear also. Maybe Aleve would help with the pain during and after work. Also stretching your feet and legs at different intervals throughout your shift and at the end of your shift will help also. CNA's are sometimes the hardest (physically) working people on the floor of a medical facility. If you ever get a chance to wear a pedometer to work to track how many steps you take throughout your shift, try it. On average, I would walk between 5,000 to 6,000 steps per shift. Good Luck and hang in there........nurses really need us, and most of them appreciate us.:bowingpur

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Specializes in ALF, Medical, ER.

Most days its my legs and feet. My feet just plain hurt, while my legs are just very sore. If it has been one of those days where everyone on the floor needs to be pulled up 10 times then my back will start. The back pain normally goes away by the time I get home. Feet and legs don't feel better till the next morning.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Honestly, my feet and legs NEVER hurt, even at the end of a 12 hour shift when I'm running around. I wear Crocs. If I wear a different shoe during a shift, my feet ache. I love Crocs!

My lower back does hurt a little though. :(

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My feet normally hurt at the end of every shift and my back hurts a lot too, but I think I did something to it when I first started my job but I was young and didn't report anything.

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Specializes in LTC, cardiac, ortho rehab.

try elevating your feet and legs when you go to sleep. should help with the circulation to promote healing and relieve the pain a bit. well, thats what i do atleast and it kinda works. or... you can get a massage =)

hope your feet feel better.

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Specializes in ER, OB.

I will tell you the secret that helped my sooo much! Shoe Inserts like Dr. Scholls!!!!!! It worked wonders for my feet when I started as a CNA. They have a kind that is blue that are for your heels that work wonderfully. Good Luck!

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Specializes in Emergency Midwifery.

I work in a couple of different facilities and have found that flooring means alot when it come to foot pain and leg pain.

If I am working in the carpeted hospital then my feet are ok no matter how many steps I manage to do (sometimes in excess of 9000). If I work at the smaller hospital of the split campus with linoleum (sp?) flooring then my feet are aching after 4000 steps.

My shoes are Saramanders (nothing really fancy) and I am on my second set - I would never be without them. :D

Nicky.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

I rarely have back pain, but, thanks to my aide job, I now have chronic, recurring shoulder pain. I love my job, but I blame working as a aide as the reason (or at least played a role) in my being diagnosed with degenerative arthritis at 20. I have been on restrictions related to shoulder injuries twice in the last six months. Pulling people up, boosting them in bed, having pts lean on you while they walk to the bathroom, etc all took it's tole after a while (the majority of the pts I cared for were partial to total care). While I know about proper body mechanics, I do have a small body size, and I was never one to say "no" if another co-worker needed help moving somebody. I'm not trying to discouage anyone from being an aide (I LOVE my job), but please be careful, and NEVER be afraid to ask for help, even if your unit is short staffed for that shift. Your body is worth taking care of.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I have a little Secret of my own and it's "SUPPORT STOCKINGS". After my first week after working as a CNA, I was dead beat. My feet and really my legs was in lot's of pain. I remember my mom telling how (support stockings) protects your legs if I was standing long periods of time. So I never miss a day without my support stockings on, & I also wear croc's as well. The Support Stocking's really do a good job for me.....HOPE THIS HELP's

Also you can purchase "Support Stockings" at your local Walmart

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Specializes in LTC, subacute CNA.

For your feet: keep a water bottle in your freezer, and when you get home from work put it on the floor and roll your feet over it while you check email or what not. Feels great!

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well...before i got used to lifting my back used to kill me. now that i lift properly my arms are hurting! i know that will go away in time though. it is good that it is my arms and not my back. means i am doing it correctly now. :mad:

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