I've been accepted to an ADN program at my nearby community college.
I am 41, and when I finish I will be 44. I've volunteered in hospitals, and feel that nursing will be a good fit for me at this stage in my life.
However, I'm concerned about back problems. How does one avoid getting injured? I am generally fit, healthy and know how to life things -- using my leg muscles rather than my back -- but how realistic is this when you are moving/lifting a real person and may have to lean over, thus engaging the lower back?
Are there certain specialities that have a lower rate of back injuries (I'm thinking maybe the NICU). Has anybody here NOT been injured on the job? If so, how do you protect yourself? Can you be fired for refusing to lift under dangerous or sub-optimal conditions? Please add how long you have been nursing.
If you have been injured, how did it happen, could it have been avoided, and have you recovered? Are you still in the same job?
Thank you for all your responses. I'm very concerned about this.
Thank you everybody for your suggestions and responses. I am bumping this bc I'd still like to hear about others' experiences with back problems (or no back problems.)
I think this is a good topic. I've noticed at work that when I asked for help turning heavy patients the nurses that have been there for a long time act like I can't handle the job - bascially they go in there and turn the patient themselves without waiting for me to help them - like they want to show me how much of a weakling I am. It irritates me, and I have hurt my back trying to turn by myself because I am ashamed to ask for help. I don't do that very much anymore because I am trying to avoid any permanent damage to my back. I figure that it is not worth giving up my profession and going on disability. I have been a nurse for less than a year!
This is the position in which the head of the bed is lower than the feet. Use it VERY cautiously in elderly, and not at all if there's a head injury or stroke patient.
This works great especially with obese pts, its just so many people have resp. problems and SOB that you cant always use it on everyone!
Having another trained person help you is always your best bet , never do anything alone if you feel it could possibly hurt you . I say trained person , because I have encountered a few staff members who either werent properly trained in body mechanics , just dont care about safety, or maybe they just forgot to eat their wheaties that day ...whatever the case it can be dangerous to you.
I think this is a good topic. I've noticed at work that when I asked for help turning heavy patients the nurses that have been there for a long time act like I can't handle the job - bascially they go in there and turn the patient themselves without waiting for me to help them - like they want to show me how much of a weakling I am. It irritates me, and I have hurt my back trying to turn by myself because I am ashamed to ask for help. I don't do that very much anymore because I am trying to avoid any permanent damage to my back. I figure that it is not worth giving up my profession and going on disability. I have been a nurse for less than a year!
SerenD
You are not a weakling, you are just smart. What those nurses are doing is dangerous to their backs, not to mention just plain stupid. That is the only way I can describe trying to "play hero" and move patients by yourself - JUST PLAIN STUPID. Stick to your guns and don't move/turn patients by yourself. If your coworkers want to do it (and live with the resulting back injuries), you can't help that. You can only take care of yourself.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I am gonna give you a hint: (you have received great words so far---but few have addressed personal health)
Really, in the end, you can only preserve your back by being strong overall. Meaning: you have to work out, strengthen all your muscles particularly those in your abdomen and legs, to support your back. If you have super-strong abs and legs, your back will fare better. And if you are overweight (like I am) you have to lose weight---just 10 lb represents more like 40 lb of pressure/torque on your back and legs. You have to lose the weight to preserve your joints and back. If you are not overweight, you still have to work those muscles to keep your back intact and healthy....
Not what most of us want to hear (I know that personally)---but them's the facts. I am working on my weight problems slowly--and weight lifting and aerobic exercise have become my new friends now. GOOD LUCK.
alias
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Thank you everybody for your suggestions and responses. I am bumping this bc I'd still like to hear about others' experiences with back problems (or no back problems.)