Did anyone do 12 inches to shoulder/over head lift for pre employment physical?

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I have to do a physical in order to complete the hiring process but I am told I have to do a series of lift tests including lifting over the head! Does this mean I have to lift 35 lbs over my head? Everyone is being so vague or telling me things like "I don't know" "just do your best"

From what I have googled so far-some are telling me I only have to lift 20lbs over my head and some are telling me that, yes, it is full 35 lbs over the head.

What do you guys think? I don't want to lose the job offer because I can't lift 35 lbs over my head! Please help! Thank you!

Specializes in critical care.

Over the head? That seems odd. I don't know if I'm missing something here, but I can't think of a situation where lifting anything over 35 lbs above the head might be necessary. Unless, of course, you're tossing toddlers out of windows. ?

I had to lift 90 pounds to get a job at a Tenent Hospital in 2000. I dont know if they still require it.

Specializes in Emergency and Critical Care.

The first pre hire physical I have had to do in my 36 years as a nurse was just at my last job in 2008 and I had to do 10 push ups, lift 50 pounds close to body and squats without kneeling on the floor, lord I did it but I thought in all my years of nursing in ER, trauma and critical care I have never had to do push ups, but I did them, and I lifted the 50 pounds. But I have been moving 300 plus pound patients around for a long time, and yes my back is gone, including the nurses C5-6 herniated disc. I don't know if this is becoming more common now in nursing, but I do think the over the head thing is a bit over the top so to speak.

I had to lift a wooden box containing 50# weights from a bed, to a chair, and back to the bed again utilizing proper body mechanics. Just remember to bend your knees, hold the box close to your body, and turn-not twist your back.

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