WOWs/COWs as a new grad

Specialties Med-Surg

Published

So I'm a new grad RN at a hospital in the Los Angeles metro area. Our facility uses the "WOW" e-carts for electronic charting. Which we have to push into the patients' rooms EVERY time we have to give a med or hang a piggyback. I am literally pushing this thing around for 12 hours a day...and they are HEAVY and cumbersome.

My problem is that it's my 4th week on the floor during orientation and I've developed SEVERE shoulder pain in both my shoulders. I can barely lift my right arm with the pain shooting up my neck on the right side.

What should I do about this pain? I've just been medicating myself with extra strength Tyelonol during all my shifts so I can make it though....but I can't keep doing that forever.

Any advice?

My body hurts soooooooooo bad at the end of my shift..there are some days I don't know if I can make it though...and I'm a fairly young, healthy woman...not overweight...it's just that these carts are so heavy to push around for 12 hours...and being on MedSurg I am in a patients room literally every 15 mins.

Thanks!

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Specializes in Going to Peds!.

Start a weight lifting program.

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Specializes in ICU, CCL, Tele, Some Management, TNCC.

A couple of things.... (1st though, sorry you ate hurting bc that's no fun!) but take a look at your posture and form. Can u adjust the WOW ht to make sure you are not hunching over? Also try to push it around at a different push point (not too high but not low where you are bent over). Take a look at your routine... Any extra dragging that you can cut out, bundle some activities together do you aren't taking that thing on unnecc trips.

And previous poster is right--- get some quality exercises in to strengthen you back n core n shoulders. Lugging that thing around sucks but it shouldn't be causing you that much pain. Watch body mechanics on other things.... Could it be that you are pulling on Pts too much and it's not the wow?

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Specializes in Rehab corrections med-surg.

Adjust the wow to your height. Take tylenol prior to shift. Stretches pre shift. Weight building

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I am sorry you are hurting......As per the Terms of Service we cannot offer medical advice.

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I think you need to check your body mechanics....ask PT to come and take a look. See your PCP ....see what they say.

I wish you the best. Thread closed

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