Back issue

LaurenRMA · Oct 17, 2014

Hey!

So I injured my back a while ago when I worked in retail and let me tell you that you want to protect your back now before your hurt it. I don't care what anyone says or does always put the bed at a comfortable working level, never let a patient grab onto you ( you don't want to risk injuring your shoulder/back/etc), and go to your local Walmart and buy an Ace back brace. It's only $20 and it'll save you lots of painful moments and keep your core tight and aligned. I hope this helps, nursing homes can be very stressful, and sometimes co workers don't always have the time or patience. Just remember the extra 30 seconds will save you time off work, work comp., and in the future.

GrumpyRN, NP · Oct 17, 2014

Got to agree with Lauren, protect your back. When I started there was no such thing as 'proper' lifting nurses just got on and 'did it'. The result........? 30 years later I required surgery on my back because I could not feel anything below my waist when I walked - the surgery cured that but I still have back pain.

Do it properly, protect yourself because no one else will.

nlitened · Oct 18, 2014

Use good body mechanics, raise the bed, have the patient help as much as possible, ask for assistance. Do whatever it takes to protect your back. It doesn't matter what others do or say, do what makes you comfortable. I hope you have a great first day!

Missingyou, CNA · Oct 18, 2014

Take the time to raise the bed!!!!!

Bend your knees. Even if you're tying someones shoes or helping to put on someone's pants, bend at the knees (or squat down)NOT at the waist... Bending at the waist puts a strain on your lower back. When you have a "healthy" back you don't really notice it, but after doing this for 20+ years I have learned my lessons well!!!

It's all the little things that add up.

Stretch at the begining of your shift and at the end and every chance inbetween that you get...even just raising your arms over your head and lean side to side for a stretch is better than nothing.

As far as others not being so welcoming.... Plan ahead. Start by offering to help them. Everyone's job is so much easier if you work together!!

You will feel tired and unorganized and you may even think "what the heck did I get myself into!". But YOU GOT THIS. :) You will get a routine down, you'll get to know your residents. It will get easier.

Remind yourself, it is what it is and you are doing the best you can. You may not get to everything ontime. You probably won't finish everything, but you are ONE person doing what you can do.

Raven.poe · Oct 18, 2014

Thanks missing you, and everyone else. Im in so much pain right now, and dont know how I got thru today alone. It was a horrible first day and I kept trying to stay positive, but couldn't.

I was told I would get a modified schedule just for the first few days alone to get the hang of it. But they gave me the worst assignment on the floor, 15 patients instead of the normal 10 everyone gets. Plus it was the most difficult patients. The other cnas barely helped, I had to keep 6 patients in bed (but did turn them and dress them) because no one would help me with the hoyer.

Very frustrating! I dont think this place is gonna work out for me, im getting the same assignment all week.

Is it because this job is through an agency? Or are all places like this?

VampyrSlayer, CNA · Oct 19, 2014

That's not acceptable that you couldn't get someone to help you with the two person lift and residents suffered. I'm so sorry that's happening to you. Definitely take it to your supervisor. Raising the bed takes seconds and it will save your back.

Nursing24/7, LVN · Oct 19, 2014

A lot of places you'll find yourself on your own a lot of CNA's are not helpful or team players. It's common. Like someone suggested you should do your job to best of your ability & offer to help others even if they don't extend the same courtesy to you. Always be the bigger person. Hang in there it usually takes about a month to get used to the routine. If you're still unhappy after a month talk to your agency & see if you can get a new assignment.

Missingyou, CNA · Oct 19, 2014

I'm not at all surprised that you felt so overwhelemed and that you didn't get any help from your coworkers.

Pretty typical... :sour:

I agree! Give it a month.

If you keep offering to help others, they will eventually help you (I sure hope!). You are the new person, and others can be tough on the new person. It's not fair, but that's how it goes sometimes.

BEFORE you ask for help, make sure the resident is ready to go so when your helper arrives, all they have to do is help with the lift and then leave. That means, have them dressed and hoyer pad under them and hoyer in the room.

Plan ahead: I order to plan ahead, you have to know the routine a little and that will take time. Eventually you will learn that your hallmate gets Mary up about 9:45 everyday so, you will know that at 9:45 be ready to help your hallmate without them having to ask you, then they will be ready to help you too. You can even ask your hallmate what the routine was like before you started so that you can follow that...It will help if your hallmate doesn't have to adjust to a new schedule because YOU are new.

Eventually, I can bet that someone will complain that you didn't do "such n such", so heads up. Keep helping others, do the best you can, and if you don't get someone up because you couldn't get help, then tell your nurse!...don't just let it slip by.

Keep doing the best you can.

IT REALLY DOES GET BETTER! Trust me on this one. :yes: