failed lift test, may have lost job offer..

[lovescapeRN]

I'm really sad guys.. I interviewed and got a verbal offer from this hospital a month ago. So took me about an entire month to do all the screening/background checks/drug test, physical. Mind you their physical test I had to run, check my heart rate after i run, do a lung capacity test, thumb/ grip strength test, hearing/vision, flexibility, pull, lift, squat. I live 2 hours away from this hospital, so I"ve been driving back and forth many times. So I called and asked HR if this was a pretty sure thing after I completed most of their requirements and they said just pending your physical, but yes, it shouldn't be an issue. Ive done many physicals for hospitals in the past and they were pretty easy, and I pass without any issues. The manager told me it's fine, and even told me I should be able to start by next month and when to go to orientation. The manager even told me when to sign the offer letter once HR clears me on my physical. So I found housing, put down a huge deposit for rent, signed a housing agreement. Not until a week ago, the HR called me back and said I failed their lift test. Scheduled me to go back again for lift test with a pully and weights. So I called around and was confused as to what the weight lift requirements were. and they said I failed because they required 50 lbs WITH EASE. (meaning you cannot look like you're struggling lifting 50 lbs). and its suppose to be a new policy that they implemented.. Mind you i'm a healthy young and petite girl..So I lifted again and only lifted to 40 lbs with ease and the PT stopped me. I begged her to let me try 45-50 but she stopped me and "didn't want me to struggle" but in my head I knew I lost my job offer. so today i called my potential landlord and lost deposit money of $500..

i'm really upset right now. I've never even heard of such a lift test policy for hospitals. I really wished they told me it was a 50 lb requirement and potentially a lot of people may not pass this test. but no one told me until I called HR and asked. Apparently HR is the one who looks at the scale and chart and determine if my score "matches' their requirement and tell me if i'm safe enough to perform this job. I"ve worked as a nurse for awhile now and I have no issues lifting. I just ask for help! They can potentially eliminate hiring anyone with injuries, older nurses, pregnant nurses. i just feel like i didn't go to school for years to get rejected from a job b/c i cant lift 10 more lbs and that i have a petite frame, i'm tall and less than 120.... I looked at the scores of the lift test, apparently other females failed this test too. why on earth is this happening..?! i'm really sad right now, I feel really blindsided. can someone please give me guidance.

[Chin up]

Call the state and the EEOC. This test may be illegal. Also. Using weights and pulleys, depending if you are lifting them by pulling down or raising up, can give widely different results. You did not say, what type of an institution. Please provide more information. There are just too many issues, with their practices.

[kathylorr]

I've been a RN for 6 years and worked in 3 different hospitals and never had to take such a test. In fact, most of them have a "no-lift' policy and don't want the nurses trying to lift patients! The only time I ever heard of such a test was for working in the supply dept. where they required being able to lift and carry 50# across a room, but that was for men who would be unloading trucks and not for nurses with patients.

The physicals I received were very rudimentary and not much more than VS and being fitted for masks.

Now I'm not petite like you, so maybe others got such a test but I never heard anyone mention it.

I'd be wondering about a hospital looking for brawn over brains....

Kathy

[lovescapeRN]

i had to pull the weights up, then walk backwards with them, and walk forward with them. each test required me to do 10,20,30,40lbs. the minute your body "jerks' a little, the physical therapist considered it unsafe. this is for a med surg position..in a smaller hospital.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

you did not lose out on the job because you are a bad nurse. therefore, do not let this disappointment be a big obstacle in your life. personally, i have never heard of such a policy in the civilian world. thus, i doubt you will run into this again. keep your chin up and move on.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

That's just nutty. Did you know about all this, I mean the specifics of the testing prior? Heck if all that was required most of the nursing and MD staff in my state would be out of work.

[caliotter3]

I think you hit the nail on the head with your statement about eliminating potential hires. Of course it makes sense that this is their way to practice discrimination by extending the "line in the sand", under the guise of allowed hiring practices.

[barbyann]

I had to do a lift test for my new job last September. It was a 15 lb weight from off of the floor. It seemed as though they were looking for proper body mechanics/style more so than the weight amount in my case. Seems like the new "thing" in nursing.

[Chin up]

Come on people, it is discrimination, pure and simple.

[lovescapeRN]

That's just nutty. Did you know about all this, I mean the specifics of the testing prior? Heck if all that was required most of the nursing and MD staff in my state would be out of work.

I wasn't informed until I did my own research. I feel like I wasted a lot of time/ energy/ money..

[Flo., BSN, RN]

I too had to do a 50# lift test. I had to pick up a 50# box off a shelf put it on the floor then lift it up again and set it across the room. It seemed like the oddest test to me. Pts are not boxes.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Come on people, it is discrimination, pure and simple.

I would call this test pretty silly. Also, it's pretty rude of them to offer you the job, tell you that's all ok, allow to go along spending time and money for the position, then blindside you with this "test." However, I would have trouble putting the label "discrimiation" on this or their practice.