CNA Class

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to take or not to take - to work or not to work? My main question is how much will I have to lift? How many pounds by myself? I really don't want a back injury - I have talked to so many CNAs who quit because of this. I even considered just working in housekeeping or food service - but they still require heavy lifting of patients because CNAs call off. The smells and such don't concern me - just the intense physical demands of lifting repetively all day (or night).

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

Part of the curriculum will include how to use good body mechanics to avoid back injuries. One of the main subjects covered in your first nursing classes in college will also be body mechanics. Using good body mechanics I have seen little itty bitty 4'8" nurses turn and repostion big 300 pound bruisers in beds. It's not a good idea to turn anyone that big without getting help, but it can be done safely. There are very, very few situations where you cannot wait for a second person to join you in moving and repositioning a patient. Even if you find yourself in a situation where a patient is falling there is a way to keep both the patient and yourself safe from an injury while you assist the patient to the floor. Those who decide to play hero, lift or move a patient on their own, and sustain a back injury have only themselves and their poor common sense and judgment to blame.

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you will learn good body mechanics. also many facilities are going no-lift. there are lots of great thongs like hoyer lifts, sit to stand machines, phil-e slides and hover mats. problem is that they take a little longer to use than just lifting.

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I will check on the no lifting thing (thongs - lol) - made me laugh. I live in a pretty rinky dinky town - so it seems like everything is 10 to 20 years behind the times.

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lol i can't believe i wrote thong!!!!

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