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.
there are a number of procedures and tests employers may require that generally are not considered medical examinations, including:
tests to determine the current illegal use of drugs;(32)
physical agility tests, which measure an employee's ability to perform actual or simulated job tasks, and physical fitness tests, which measure an employee's performance of physical tasks, such as running or lifting, as long as these tests do not include examinations that could be considered medical (e.g., measuring heart rate or blood pressure);
tests that evaluate an employee's ability to read labels or distinguish objects as part of a demonstration of the ability to perform actual job functions;
psychological tests that measure personality traits such as honesty, preferences, and habits; and,
Wow! I never heard of having to run and check your heartrate and then do a lift test with weights and pulleys. Something's wrong with this hospital. I would be glad it didn't work out and look elsewhere.
You're not a bionic women or mule. What are they thinking. They probably have a high injury rate. I would try to find a "no-lift" hospital if you can. Too many healthcare workers get injured and live with chronic back pain. You don't want that to happen to you.
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 ?
But darling, you forgot the ADA. Unless undue hardship, accomodation is required. Disabilities are protected. Bump morality, speaking purely law. I could argue gender, but need more info. The ADA is indisputable however, unless there is accommodation, this is discrimination. I would bet the farm, this is gender and age discrimination also. We could also go into test used and reliability regarding job performance. No one but the absolute fittest among us, can pass that test. Next question, as these people age, then what...once hurt on the job...once sick..pregnant woman cannot be discriminated against. Gotta go to school, but will bring all thisnup, if time permits. Peace!
..... =/ but i dont even have any back injuries! i'm just petite! It makes me wonder, a lot of facilities are promoting nurses to not use their backs, encourage use of lift teams, equipments... So does that mean that this facility probably will make me lift a lot on my own.. no equipment, no lift teams, nothing..?!
You may say that you have no injuries, but they are making you prove it.
Unfortunately, I have dealt with employees that have lied about previous injuries, gone to work and promptly cried "workman's comp". Also had a couple of acquaintances to play that game.
One cannot blame facilities for not wanting to take the risk. Most places have it in their job descriptions to be able to lift 30-50 lbs. It has only been recently that facilities required one prove it.
You may say that you have no injuries, but they are making you prove it.
Unfortunately, I have dealt with employees that have lied about previous injuries, gone to work and promptly cried "workman's comp". Also had a couple of acquaintances to play that game.
One cannot blame facilities for not wanting to take the risk. Most places have it in their job descriptions to be able to lift 30-50 lbs. It has only been recently that facilities required one prove it.
Oh they made me do 1 lift, 2 pull push test. I got 40's on the pull push test,which only measures strength, not to test for hidden back injuries.. No job neither if u failed this strength test. It just makes me sad that most nurses probably risk their backs everyday for their profession. But guess what, when u go look for a job again, the new job is not going to want u. if they are checking for back injuries, then they can figure out some other way to test that. Not a test that also eliminates skinny, old, ppl with disabilities etc. It may be a step for hospitals to weed out the people who might end up using workers comp. I feel less compelled to work there now.. Since probably they will expect the nurse to do all the lifting. Im not going to pursue this any further, just wanted to inform the nursing community that this is the reality now. I guess learn it from me, ask the SPECIFICS prior to agreeing to do anything... Sigh
My work does this, and as a new grad when I was hired, I didn't realize it was n odd thing for them to do!
I was shocked at how intense it was. They said,"oh, it's just a fitness test, blah blah." But holy moly, it was lifting and pushing, fine motor skills (had to put together these small bolts and see how many you could do in a minute), gross motor skills (with something that looked like an oversized chess board.) It was really specific. I will say the PT that did it was mostly focused on your technique while lifting, but you did have to lift up to 50 lbs.
I'm sorry you failed. If yours is anything like my hospital, I can see how a petite person could fail it. It was not easy at all.
But, several hospitals in my area will also fire you if you test positive for nicotine when you come in to do your new employee paperwork. I had a friend that lost a job because of it, and they were also going to make her sign something that she wouldn't smoke in her personal life, either. Crazy...!
Just love how on the hospital job boards the will say they will ac a disability and give info about yours via email, link, or phone listed. LOL. That is the biggest joke of all. Not even a desk job for you. It's not patient care or job needs here for those who need it spelled out. THE COMPANY doesn't want to pay for your medical insurance or worker's comp should there be a remote possibility that your knees are due to blow.
I wonder how fast this wiil catch on everywhere. I know several nurses very overweight that are winded walking down the hall quickly. I wonder what way is in the works to fire them. I am sure it will be along the lines of being written up for some false thing.
Very sorry for your loss & the treatment you received. However, I think this is a blessing in disguise. I wouldn't want to work at a place who views nurses only as work horses. Did they check your teeth, gallop, and canter as well?
You forgot: Demand a poop specimen so they could check for parasites.
fwiw, the hospital that I do clinicals in has a clearly stated lift limit of 35# per person. That is a much more realistic requirement for most women. The physical that the OP described sounds as if that facility is intending to hire men, because most women nurses are not body-builders and are not able to spend hours doing weight training due to family and job and nursing school time demands. Just sayin'.
This test is crazy I guess I might be in trouble Im only 5'2 I can lift 50lbs but to lift, carry, pull and all that crazy stuff..man We just trying to be a good nurse. Like someone said earlier we know to ask for help if we cant lift
I just got a job as an extern and this test was required. It really wasn't a big deal. I'm not a strong person, I don't work out and I was able to do it without straining myself. I don't think it's unreasonable. Every job I have ever had (retail, office, food) has had 'must be able to lift 50lbs' in the job description, it seems kind of standard. Sounds like these hospitals are making people prove it.
I really fail to see how this is discrimination. Everyone applying to work (at my facility anyway) has to pass the same lift test. Maybe, because of the state I'm in, I have different expectations? I'm not sure.
Being able to lift 50lbs has nothing to do with race, religion, or sex. Unless you have a diagnosis of something that prevents you from lifting 50lbs you can't claim it's a disability, just because you were unable to do it. Our job is physical, and of course we are going to ask for help when we need it, but like I said, I don't think it's unreasonable to ask employees to be able to lift 50lbs especially in the hospital setting.
..... =/ but i dont even have any back injuries! i'm just petite! It makes me wonder, a lot of facilities are promoting nurses to not use their backs, encourage use of lift teams, equipments... So does that mean that this facility probably will make me lift a lot on my own.. no equipment, no lift teams, nothing..?!
If yours is anything like my hospital, I can see how a petite person could fail it. It was not easy at all.
psu_213, BSN, RN
3,878 Posts
Well, I would imagine this is true....if you are already in the union. Not for someone who is going through the application/testing process.