[dm22]

Is the ER the most physically demanding of the nursing specialties? i know its really fast paced and stressful, but i was told it was the hardest (most tiring i guess)

so do you all have to like, overhead press 400 pound patients? caber toss unruly drunks and crack addicts?

no really, what sort of lifting and physical type work does the job entail?

[guzzebear]

I did my workstudy in the ER....and from my experience we got a lot of help when needed and when asked. . I am 5ft tall and weigh about 100 pounds. I will be graduating in Dec. and will be working in the ER in Feb 2006. So the answer is yes and no!!!

[LeahJet]

Originally Posted by dm22

so do you all have to like, overhead press 400 pound patients? caber toss unruly drunks and crack addicts?

Nope, that's what restraints and vitamins A and H are for.


ativan. haldol.

[guzzebear]

Originally Posted by LeahJet

Nope, that's what restraints and vitamins A and H are for.


ativan. haldol.

HEE HEE True

[rjflyn]

Toss in a little benadryl and your good to go.

RJ

Originally Posted by LeahJet

Nope, that's what restraints and vitamins A and H are for.


ativan. haldol.

[caroladybelle]

And you don't bench press the med/surg patients for the rest of their six week stay.

All of nursing is physically demanding.

[Human nurse]

I think that the Neuro floors are tougher in terms of having to lift patients. I worked as a tech in the ER and on a Neuro floor which means that I was lifting most of the patients. Neuro patients were usually paralyzed. Never worked in the ER as a nurse so I cannot really speak to that. I plan on going back to ER next year after I rap up my RN. I work rehab now as LPN and it can be heavy too. I often think that Peds would be nice (little people are easyto lift), but way too depressing for me.

[NurseWilliam]

Having worked in both MedSurg and ER, I can say that both are both physically demanding in their own ways. ER work involves more rapid, coordinated movement and endurance with prolonged cooldown phases. MedSurg requires more heavy lifting and what sports medicine practitioners call "explosive strength"- that is, a lot of strength is demanded in a hurry, like coming off the line of scrimmage to block a defensive lineman.

[NurseWilliam]

Originally Posted by LeahJet

Nope, that's what restraints and vitamins A and H are for.


ativan. haldol.

Ah, yes. Better living through chemistry.

[Kidrn911]

Since I work in a pediatric facility, 99% of the lifting is not an issue. But I often need earplugs for the crying and screaming