failed lift test, may have lost job offer..

Nurses Job Hunt

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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.

physical competency is a reasonable requirement for nursing. saying that it is not, and then working in such a manner as to invalidate it is a significant component in the reduction of quality of patient care that we have seen within recent decades.

sure, we know that you're a BSN, and that therefore you should not ever have to give a patient a bed bath or change the sheets on their bed. after all, that would require a little physical work on your part. it would require that you be in decent physical condition in order to accomplish the work without injuring yourself or the patient. and besides, that patient with the partially amputated foot has only been on those sheets urinating into bedpans for 3 days now without any kind of hygenic care, and we have a box of donuts to eat, anyway.

in this time of staff cutting patient comfort and dignity is being sacrificed. budget cuts have placed us all in an uncomfortable situation in which we have to occupy multiple roles in the interest of the patient. allowing the patient to suffer for our own convenience is not an acceptable option.

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Specializes in LTC.

Oh brother, I'm suprised they didn't ask if you were prone to constipation...you might be too sluggish.:uhoh3:

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.

I had to kneel on the floor and crawl across a mat. Have horrible arthritis in my knees, but I wasn't losing this job! Horrible huh? Haven't been able to kneel since I was a child, my patella is too high and out of the groove so I can't be a nurse? Really?

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Specializes in Med surg, LTC, Administration.
Oh brother, I'm suprised they didn't ask if you were prone to constipation...you might be too sluggish.:uhoh3:

Most def ageism.

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thank you guys for the reply. i explained the situation to my landlord and she sympathize for me..and she might help me out with the deposit.. perhaps finding a hospital that has a union is important.. because with a union, i doubt they let this slip.

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Specializes in ER/ MEDICAL ICU / CCU/OB-GYN /CORRECTION.
Come on people, it is discrimination, pure and simple.

Though I agree with you in the spirit of morality - however if you look at the federal guidelines for discrimination and various states it does not meet the criteria for rejection due to color/ creed/ nation origin / gender /genetic information (added 2009) sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation (per state)/ breast feeding (depending in state) or pregnancy.

So if one is to challenge this on what basis would they in regards to discrimination if they can set their own criteria such as a PFT test or drug exam or weight lifting challenge ?

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, Med-Surg.

I agree that a 50 lb "lift test" may be teetering on the illegal...and I also agree that this is a blessing in disguise. Better you lose a few months of time, gas money, and a rent deposit than lose your whole future career because they expect you to do solo lifting, etc.

What burns me to the bone...all this "Our nurses need to show us how healthy they are." We're stressed to anticipate patients' drink and food preferences, along with their bathroom needs etc while ignoring our own need to have a drink of H20 and use the bathroom more than once in a 12 hour shift? :uhoh3:

I would ask them how many times they were going to "allow" you to retreat to the lounge for an 8 oz glass of water or if you would really be allowed to have your 30 minutes to scarf down breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the day....

I know it's tough out there, for new grads and experienced nurses, but you don't want to work for this business.

Hugs and best wishes for you:redpinkhe

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

You wouldn't want to work for these people anyway. I work at a Magnet facility and they don't want us lifting any weight, let alone 50 pounds. We have lift things all over, hovermats, all kinds of stuff.

You have learned a valualble lesson, ask exactly what the testing entails, how long the hiring and testing process is etc.

Of course I have found several who lie so what up.

I have worked for over 20 hospitals and never had to pass the testing you have mentioned.

Good luck, hope you find a great place to work

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.
thank you guys for the reply. i explained the situation to my landlord and she sympathize for me..and she might help me out with the deposit.. perhaps finding a hospital that has a union is important.. because with a union, i doubt they let this slip.

I worked at a union facility and was required to do a lift test to get the job.

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Specializes in MS/tele/peds/psych.

I have worked in a bazillion different places and have never had to do anything like that:eek: And the others were right; most places want to find ways to keep you from having to lift!!! I hope you find something better. Good luck to you!

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Wow. That is some INTENSE physical testing. I am a petite young girl too. I guarantee you there is no way I would pass the test either. My physical testing for employment consisted of getting my vaccines and passing my drug test. I would agree with a previous poster who said you would not want to work for this facility anyway. They should not expect you to be lifting that much weight on your own w/ ease. You should have lifting equipment and the help of co-workers at least.

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I don't see a problem with this if lifting is a repeated daily requirement of the job. This puts a literal spin on the phrase "carrying their weight".

From my experience I do find a need to lift 50+ lbs during my shift. Granted it may be only once or twice a day, but this task is shared by nurses and techs alike on my floor.

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