How should a petite girl prepare for lifting pts?

willowita, ADN, RN · Apr 29, 2013

User proper body mechanics, draw sheets, available equipment, ask for help from other nurses/students, have the pt do as much as they are able to in helping you move them.

If you are in over your head, don't try to do it alone. You need to take care of your body first or else you won't be able to care for others.

Baubo516, RN · Apr 29, 2013

I agree that you should use mechanical lifts and get help whenever you can. If you are using a gait belt with a patient who is a 1 person assist transfer, you should be doing more of a pulling motion than a lifting motion.

Be prepared to be assertive on the job and tell people what you are and are NOT comfortable with. I work as an aide and I have had some older nurses tell me, "Oh no, it's OK - we can do this ourselves..." It takes practice to be able to tell them, "No - I would be more comfortable if we used the lift/EZ stand/whatever."

They may think they are saving time, but if one of us hurts our back, we will lose LOTS of work time...

dawniepoo · Apr 30, 2013

I always ask for help when I need it. My problem is, since I am 5ft tall, I have trouble reaching some of the bedside equipment. Depending on the floor, I sometimes have to carry around a thermometer since I can't reach the ones in the patient rooms.