Duke Post Job Offer Test

U.S.A. North Carolina

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Has anyone done the post job offer test for Duke University Hospital? It's a pre employment physical capacity test done by WorkSTEPS.

Do you have to lift 75 lbs? From a little research, I've heard they keep adding weights into a Tupperware like box for the lifting test.

Can anyone go over what they make you do in this test? Please!!! I think I'll lose my job offer. I am short and weigh 95 lbs. I can lift 50 lbs but not sure about 75 lbs.

guest699183

106 Posts

I wish I paid a little more attention to exactly how much weight. You can request the exact requirements from your recruiter. However, at orientation with all the new grads there were nurses of all shapes and sizes. I wouldn't worry too much.

There is a box you lift up and over your head. They started the weight at 20lb I think. The other box is one you pick up from the floor and put back down. You also have to pick that same box up and place on a chair. The starting weight might have been 50lb. I think as long as you do the minimum you are fine. They just keep adding weight until you tell them to stop.

Now they do have large bag full of sand that you have to be able to push and pull on a table. That is most likely over 75lb.

bamboowoo

20 Posts

Thank you for sharing. Did you feel like you struggled during any part of the test? I wonder if they then just fail you when you show any sign that it's difficult and the movement is not smooth.

For the boxes, are there like 20 lb boxes, 40 lb boxes, etc. or do they place weights inside a box?

Thanks..

bamboowoo

20 Posts

Did the test require reps for the lifts? So lift the box from the floor and set it on the chair 5x - something like that.

guest699183

106 Posts

It's a wooden box they place metal weights in, the kind you would see in the gym. They start with the lowest weight and ask if you can safety lift it. Then you lift it. Then they ask do you feel like you can safety lift more. If you say yes then they will add more weight, I believe 10lb. You then lift that weight. They keep doing that until you say no. So it's not really reps per say.

I got the impression as long as you can comfortably lift the lowest weight you are fine. For the overhead weight I could lift the lowest weight. But once they added 2-3 more plates I struggled a bit but they didn't seem to have an issue with that. The overhead one was weird for me. In the gym I am able to do a much higher weight so it was hard for me to judge how much I could lift. It was on this table with no place to bend your knees to get a bit of momentum going. The box was kind of awkward to lift.

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

Wow. I didn't have to do that. I was hired in 2013 and I work ortho, which is physically demanding. Must be new.

Specializes in Critical Care.

I had to do the same job testing in May, and it really was not bad. From what I remember, the box we had to lift with the weights in it was wooden with handles on the sides. I think there were a couple of different handles you could use. As long as you could pick it up (kind of deadlift it, I guess), and slide it along a bed, it was fine. The testing really isn't that strenuous.

bamboowoo

20 Posts

Wow we all had different experiences slightly. They are big on proper body mechanics and you do need to lift to 70-75 lbs. I did it! Didn't think I could. The other measurements like push pull a certain amount was done by a machine that measures the force. It wasn't a sandbag. They also take a mini medical hx, and do some other things that test your physical capacity as it relates to the job.

I would say that nursing students should work out during school and especially work on proper form so it comes naturally to you.

Seems like more hospitals are requiring this to get a job to decrease work-related injuries and costs.

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

It seems this has made its way to a private nurses forum on FB. W/o naming hospital. Quite a heated debate. from what those of you who have actually performed the test,it doesn't sound that bad.

So glad I found this post! I am taking the physical this Friday and didn't know what to expect.

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