Back Sress - Can I better draw the Line?

[texastaz]

I am a older - CNA and I love my job. I try do do the best I can and I have come to this point that I know is a delusional nightmare- I know patient ratios are not going to change, I know I am not getting younger and while there are so many stronger-bigger CNAs than myself around, I can see it is only a matter of time until they end up like me.

I take more precautions suchs as using body mechanics, hooyer lifts (which I think should be a major focus and requirement in order to become a CNA) - I also ask for assistance when needed. I do not see patient ratios going down or we dreamingly even with a low patient ratio have the time to raise the bed as taught in school to do care in order to save out backs.

I feel I am becomming bitter, angry - and sure I can't change my age or my strenght. I would like to have your feed back about it because while I may not be able to it like when I was 20 I would like to hear your tips/views not just for my need but, to help the younger generation.

[windmill182]

I would be interested in getting some response to this question as well. I'm not yet a CNA, but often wonder about the stress on the body from the hard work you all do.

[azcna]

I am a young CNA, and I am worried about how my back will be in a few years. I barely if ever raise the bed. And if I do, I multitask and do something at the same time as raising the bed. There just isn't a lot of time to do things like that. I try to practise good body mechanics, but I even forget to do that sometimes

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

and half the time the bed is crammed in against other furniture so you have no room to bend your knees.

[kungfu_panda]

I'm a very petite, skinny girl so I can't do a lot of heavy lifting. I usually ask the RNA to transfer residents for me . Or I use a lift. One time I did try to transfer somebody from the bed to wheelchair by myself. My back ached for 3 days...and I learned my lesson after that. And I don't always raise the bed either because I don't have time to think about the little things when I have 10 people to get up in the morning!