ability to lift at least 50 lbs as job requirement

[LPB79]

Hello. I am a new grad RN in my forties without real-world nursing experience looking to apply for an ambulatory care nurse position. A few ads for ambulatory care nurse listed the ability to lift and carry at least 50 pounds as a requirement. What type of physical work would these jobs entail? Do you, as ambulatory nurse, lift, move, or carry these many pounds as part of the job?

I don't want to work in a med-surg unit precisely because I want to avoid lifting patients on every shift. That's why I am exploring other options, and when I saw the ads about lifting at least 50 pounds, my heart sank. I want to protect my back. Are there ambulatory nursing jobs that don't involve such physical work? Please help answer.

[pistolchick]

In my experience, almost all nursing jobs will state "ability to lift 50 or more pounds" in the job description, but most use it as a safety net. I've HAD nursing jobs where I've lifted over 100 lbs multiple times per shift (read: all night long transferring hemiplegics back and forth to the bed/wheelchair/toilet) but typically you'll know when you're applying for these kinds of jobs. In the ambulatory care setting, they most likely want to be sure that you'll occassionally be able to move a box of supplies to unload it into a supply closet or some other menial once-in-awhile job. In terms of physical labor, ambulatory care is probably one of the fluffier jobs you can get as a nurse, so don't let that part of a job description discourage you.

[PennyNickelDime_RN]

I just went for my physical as part of the hiring process as a Clinic RN. They also have the requirement of lifting 50 lbs. In the clinic setting I don't think you would do as much patient lifting/positioning changes as the hospital setting. But the 50 lb. is standard for most healthcare systems. Most positions state the bending, squatting, lifting 50 lbs etc, it's just the norm. Good luck.

[lumbarpain, ADN, RN]

Take it from one who has sustained neck, shoulder, and serious back injuries that still haunt me to this day and prevent me from functioning on my job. Although I havent worked for sometime I still have alot of pain. At ALL COSTS, if you have to lift anyone or assist anyone GET HELP....I always like when we had Male Aides on the floor. It was great. But then again, anyone can hurt themselves at the drop of a hat. Its imperative you keep YOU in proper working function so you can feel good about going to work everyday and not hate your job. Be careful......injuries can be lifelong such as in my case....I am sorry I did all that lifting, pushing, pulling in the past because now I am virtually useless.....and then.....management wouldnt care anyway, they would just replace you.