Applying for GI Endoscopy job, back troubles

TucsonGINurse · May 15, 2012

I have been a GI nurse for 6 years and there is no lifting at my center. Patients walk in and must be able to walk out. The most that you may have to do is help roll a person from their side to their back and vice versa during the procedure, but there will be 1 or 2 other people in the room to help you. GI nursing is very easy work (in my center anyway). We are an outpatient ASC

carrie13 · Jun 27, 2012

I work per diem at two ambulatory endoscopy centers. Both require patients to be able to walk in and out of the facility on their own. Occassionally we will have a patient that requires a wheelchair ride to the car but minimal lifting in terms of pre-op and post-op care. In our procedure rooms you may have to help roll or reposition a patient - keep in mind that these patients are sedated and are not able to assist too much with moving. Also - depending on how your doctor's scope - the stretcher will most likely be elevated to their standing position so it can be hard to get the right body mechanics to move a patient without straining yourself too much, especially if you are short like me :) We do have the MD, 1 RN and 1 tech in the room so rarely will you have to reposition someone without help. You may also be required to push the stretcher from the pre area to the procedure room and then to the post area.

I also work 7am-7pm on a busy telemetry/PCU. I've found sometimes that my back hurts more when I work per diem in the Endo center. Probably because we are standing 90% of the time and when in the procedure room not really moving around too much as you are monitoring the patient.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Aug 15, 2012

Hi Everyone,
I wanted to know if being a GI Rn involves lots of heavy lifting? I'm working on a stroke/telemetry floor now and it has taken a toll on my back. We turn heavy patients every 2 hours, a lot of total cares. I'm looking for something less demanding on my back. Thanks!
J

So....this was back in January. Any news?